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Largo 1^st XI travelled the short distance to Falkland on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after a couple of close but disappointing defeats in recent weeks.

On a beautiful sunny day at Scroggie Park Largo skipper Duncan won the toss and elected to field first.  The decision looked justified as first Safiyaan removed opener Lawson and the very next over Sharif got Watson out, both clean bowled.  Falkland looked to repair the early damage and they had two experienced campaigners at the crease, Manson and May who were the men to right the early wrongs.  They batted at a steady pace, picking up ones and twos and waiting on the bad ball which they dispatched to the boundary.  Largo, who’s bowlers have been dishing up too many four balls this season, stuck to the task, fielding well.  At the mid innings drinks break Falkland had weathered the early Largo storm and were in a great position to kick on and rack up a good total at 90 for 2.  They had just pushed themselves over the 100 mark when Manson played a rash stroke and was bowled by Mowat for 29.  This brought Hepburn to the crease, Duncan brought Sharif back on for a couple of overs to try and increase the pressure and it worked, almost.  Sharif forced Hepburn to edge it behind to keeper Walker but didn’t walk and was given not out.  This controversial moment incensed Largo and gave them the lift they were needing.  After a couple of emphatic boundaries from Hepburn justice was done as Bux forced Hepburn to hit the ball straight to Safiyaan at mid wicket where he completed the catch.  Largo were starting to turn the screw as the bowlers really tightened up and the home side was finding it difficult to increase their scoring rate.  May, who had batted beautifully, was eventually adjudged lbw off Smith for an excellent 71.  Another experienced pair of Hamilton and Morris were left with the task of getting Falkland up to the 200 mark.  Largo couldn’t find the breakthrough but kept a tight lid on the scoring and at the end of the 50 overs had done enough to prevent the home side from getting 200 as they totalled 193 for 5.  Hamilton 24 not out and Morris 21 not out.

Largo ’s reply started very brightly as openers Walker and Sharif played positively and were onto anything loose dished up from the Falkland bowlers.  The Largo score had motored onto 73 when Sharif was undone by a great ball from Hamilton which clipped the top of off stump and he was gone for a fluent 29.  Robinson joined Walker as Largo tried to capitalise on their solid start.  Falkland’s bowlers tightened their lines and slowed the Largo scoring rate down considerably as Robinson was finding it difficult get the ball away.  Falkland got the breakthrough they were needing as Lindsay forced Walker to play onto to his stumps for an agonising 49.  Bux was next in and along with Robinson pushed singles and forced a few misfields from the Falkland fieldsmen.  Bux had got to 15 when he mistimed a pull shot to be caught at midwicket.  Falkland were still increasing the pressure on the Largo batsmen and when they removed both Kinnear and Asman in quick succession they were very much in the game.  Robinson, who had played very cautiously, tried to up the ante and in doing so was caught himself at mid on for 29.  The home side was cock a hoop and felt victory was well within their grasp.  Mowat and Safiyaan were the two batsmen at the crease for Largo and they both still had a lot to do. With some excellent running and clever shot selection and placement they were nudging Largo closer to the victory total but it was going to be close.  With 2 overs of the match remaining Largo required 11 runs to win.  Some great running between the wickets from Safiyaan, who had his senior partner literally gasping for air, left Largo needing 5 runs to win from 8 balls.  Mowat dispatched the ball to the boundary for a welcome four to relieve the pressure and the very next ball collected the single that took Largo over the finishing line with an over to spare.  It was a fantastic effort and a very exciting climax to an excellent game of cricket.  Safiyaan was 21 not out and Mowat 23 not out at the end.  Largo entertain Grange from Edinburgh this week.