Maxwell  Banks  Points For Grange

Saturday saw Largo 1st XI entertain Grange III at East Drive in Division 2 of the East of Scotland league.  Largo, who had pushed themselves back into second in the division after last weeks win were looking to carry it on against a Grange side who have had mixed fortunes so far this season.

 
Largo lost the toss and were asked to bat on the usual fantastic East Drive track.  Without usual opening partner Walker, who was away on holiday, Mohammed Sharif opened with Guy Robinson.  The two openers made a steady start as the Grange bowlers kept it tight.  Sharif was the one who was finding his form as he played his usual mix of aggressive cuts and pulls matched with some watchful defence.  Robinson, who has struggled a little bit this season for runs, wasn't finding it easy but he was starting to get more confident before he was caught off the bowling of Krazinski for a dogged 16.  Kinnear arrived at the wicket looking to help Sharif move the score along.  Grange were not giving much away and Sharif was having to take more chances which was starting to pay off.  Kinnear had hung around for a hard working 11 before he was bowled by McCoy.  Asman came and went for 4 and Largo were again in danger of another collapse.  In between this Sharif had reached his 50 and was the one Largo batsman who looked comfortable against the tight bowling.  The two Largo "pinch hitters" Safyaan Sharif and Chris Barclay were sent in early by skipper Duncan in the hope they could up the ante for the Fifers, who were now on 132.  Both men who have a had a big impact with the bat this season were both despatched in quick succession for ducks and Largo were 142 for 5 with their allotted overs rapidly running out.  Mowat arrived at the crease and kept the score ticking over with clever dabs and paddles for singles.  Then, with the score nearly on the 150 Sharif was bowled off his legs by M.Banks for a fantastic 83.  Duncan and Mowat pushed things along further with good running between the wickets mixed with a few fours along the way.  Duncan was out for a quick 11  and not long afterwards Mowat was bowled for a fine 23.  Largo were still way short of a good score and with only a few overs remaining they still needed a to get at least over the 200 to have a total to defend.  Up stepped Arfan Yousuf, who promptly despatched the Grange bowlers for the first time in the match to all parts of the ground.  6's and 4's were common place as he found support from Smith at the other end and at the end of the 50 overs Largo had got up to 203 with Yousuf finishing with an aggressive 28 not out, a fine effort against some very good bowling and fielding, the best Largo had seen so far this season.
 
Grange started their innings poorly as both Sharif's had their batsmen in trouble from the off.  Mohammed Sharif was bowling with good aggressive pace and "Safi" was beating the outside edge on a regular basis.  It was Mohammed that struck first, removing Pollock for 0 and a couple of overs later it was "Safi" who did for Kernaghan for 0 as he edged one to Kinnear behind the stumps and Grange were 8 for 2.  This perfect start was to be short lived however as 17 year old Maxwell Banks, a name that wouldn't look out of place on a West Indian team sheet but who's as Scottish as they come, proceeded to play the sort of innings that you see at the very top level of the game. All the Largo bowlers were treated with absolute disdain as Banks played an almost flawless innings.  He scored very quickly and everything he hit was hit hard and along the ground.  No matter were the Largo fielders were placed he was able to find the gaps and the boundaries to match.  He raced up to 50 in no time and with Duncan trying to mix his bowlers up it made no difference to the youngster.  The game was slipping away quickly for Largo and with only another wicket, Krazinski caught off the bowling of Barclay for 22.  Banks was joined at the crease by Churcher and these two finished the game off in style for the capital men.  The Largo bowlers were looking tired and eventually their misery was compounded as Banks reached his century and finished the game off in the 39th over to remain unbeaten with 128, a brilliant innings which the Largo men could only admire.  Churcher had been a good foil finishing unbeaten on 42.  This was easily the best team Largo had faced this season and they will take a lot from it.  The match was sponsored by Innes Johnston & Co.