Safi hits batting Form

Usual Largo openers Walker and M.Sharif got Largo off to a terrific start as they used the pace and bounce of the pitch to work the ball around a very fast outfield as well as some lovely classical cricket shots for well deserved boundaries. These two had raced Largo up to over 75 before Walker was bowled by Baillie for 34. With plenty of overs left Largo were set for good total. Robinson arrived at the crease looking to try and find some form that saw him score all those runs last season. As soon as he had settled in M.Sharif played a wild stroke out of sheer frustration as he danced down the pitch to try and smash Butcher over the top but was promptly stumped for 39 and suddenly Largo had lost two quick wickets and were 87 for 2. Kinnear joined Robinson and they both had to play watchfully as bowlers Crispen and Butcher bowled very tight lines. Robinson was getting into his stride and Kinnear was playing a fine anchor role. These pair took the Fifers over the 100 mark and were starting to move the Largo score on again nicely. with the score on 136 Kinnear mistimed one and was caught at mid on for a hard working 15. Asman arrived at the crease but just as he was settling in Robinson gave a faint nick to the keeper and was gone for 42 and again Largo had lost two quick wickets. Asman was then out to the most unbelievable catch seen so far this season as he clipped a lovely shot through mid wicket only to see Salik throw out one hand and the ball stuck. Mowat was next to go stumped for 2 and Largo were in danger of a major collapse again, 148 for 6. This brought the two most destructive lower order batsman Largo have produced in Barclay and Safiyaan Sharif and this was when the fireworks really began. It was Barclay who got going first as he played his usual destructive innings but it was "Safi" who stole the show, bludgeoning the ball to all parts including one huge six that sailed over the fence with the ball last seen bouncing down Ferry Road!! Barclay was eventually out for an entertaining 23 and skipper Duncan stayed with "Safi" for the last 4 overs as he ripped the SMRH bowling apart, more sixes and fours aplenty were still the order and Duncan "nurdled" singles to keep "Safi" on strike. At the end of the 50 overs Largo had raced up to 244 for 7 with "Safi" 52 not out a tremendous innings and his maiden senior 50 for the club, a super effort!

SMRH replied with great gusto as batsmen Park and Coltherd set about the Largo attack early doors to try and give them a good chance of chasing the Fifers total down. "Safi" was the one Largo bowler who was giving them real problems, beating the outside edge many times. It was "Safi" who made the breakthrough forcing Coltherd to play a loose stoke and he was caught at mid on. Coggins was the next man to go, in bizarre circumstances as he was run out without realising that the ball had not been signalled by the umpire for a four he was in the middle of the wicket chatting to his partner when keeper Duncan, who was quickly reminded by Kinnear to whip the bails off, ran out the bemused batsman and after much conferring he was out. Largo were taking wickets but at the same time they were still haemorrhaging runs and were in real danger of throwing it all away as the bowlers bowled too many loose deliveries and the usual exemplary fielding was not up to standard. The dangerous Park was still in for the capital side and with him still at the crease they still had a good shout for victory. He eventually was out however to a loose shot and was caught much to the delight of the Largo men for 61. By this time the Largo bowlers were getting into gear and the fielding improved dramatically although Robinson had to the leave the field for a quick trip to casualty as he had a slight altercation with an iron fence and came off worse with a burst lip! By this point though Largo had the game won and despite some late flurry's from SMRH, Butcher in particular, the Fifers had eventually got on top of their opponents. Despite some nervous moments during the innings they kept their cool and bowled SMRH all out for 198. Barclay claiming 4 for 63 and "Safi" 2 for 16 off his 10 overs, the real star of the show! Largo got the win they wanted to keep momentum going and with a couple of other results going their way in the league they find themselves in a good position to keep the promotion race going and keep pressure on top team Carlton. The match was sponsored by Lundin Links Pharmacy.