Largo Falters

Saturday saw Largo 1st XI entertain SMRH 2nd's at East Drive in a match that survived the hard rains of Thursday and Friday.  The wicket was soft and still damp when the match begun and Largo skipper Duncan had no hesitation of putting the opposition in after winning the toss.  The home side got off to a great start as both SMRH batsmen were dismissed in quick succession.  Coltherd was out to a stunning catch at backward point by Yousuf off the bowling of Safyaan Sharif then Foubister was out LBW soon afterwards by Sharif snr and SMRH were 9 for 2.  With Coggins and Park at the crease Largo found it hard to break through their defences as these two set about repairing the early damage.  Park mixed attack with solid defence.  Coggins played a watchful innings and by the time of the 32nd over they had got up to 123 before Park was removed for 69 by Nadeem Ali.  It was the middle overs of the 1st innings that proved to be a thorn in Largo's side as they couldn't find the break through that was needed.  Things tightened up a little after the removal of Park and with 10 overs left SMRH were just shy of 150.  they still had batsmen left to have a swing but with youngsters Safyaan and Nadeem bowling well and with Sharif snr coming back on it was going to be difficult for the capital men.  Safyann produced a fine second spell by clean bowling 3 batsmen including Coggins for 59 and with Sharif snr picking up another 2 wickets it looked good for the Fifers.  Tailenders Bartsch and Crispen threw the bat to good effect however and got the capital men up to 206 for 9 by the end of the 50 overs.  Safyaan, Sharif snr and Nadeem Ali were the pick of the Largo bowlers.  This was a good score on a damp pitch and Largo would have to bat well to win this game.

 

Openers Sharif snr and Walker had a tricky start as Macintosh and Mitchell bowled with good pace and accuracy.  In the third over Walker was removed and Largo a suffered that dreaded early loss.  Robinson and Sharif started to pick things up again for the home side without really stamping their authority on the game.  Robinson was next to go after scoring 24 hard worked runs, caught at mid off.  Sharif snr was going along nicely.  However.  Then there was a loss of two quick wickets as both Ali brothers were removed in quick succession.  Asman was out to a sharp slip catch then younger brother Nadeem was clean bowled second ball.  Largo were now really up against it.  Barclay was next in and after last weeks heroics up Falkland he had another chance to be the hero once again.  This was looking likely as he worked the ball around nicely and smacked some glorious fours.  Sharif snr was looking confident and past his half century.  Then as things were picking up again for the home side Sharif was run out going for a second run for 56.  Barclay was then out soon after caught in the deep for 24.  Duncan and Safyaan were at the crease and the youngster who had smashed a fine half century against the same opposition earlier in the season was undone by a rush of blood to the head as swung and missed a straight ball and was bowled.  Duncan pushed singles hard and with Yousaf producing a couple of huge hits including a big six perhaps Largo would scrape home but just as these two were stepping a up a gear Yousaf played on and that really was it for the home side.  They eventually were all out in the 44th over for 154 a disappointing defeat for Largo and one that makes next week's last league game of the season away to Grange all important if they are to achieve promotion to the East League's top flight next season and with Freuchie 2nd's winning that means any slip up from Largo would see their fellow Fifers pipping them to the post provided they win their last game against old rivals but already relegated Falkland 2nd's.  The match was sponsored by T. Fleming homes, Duns.