Largo
1XI welcomed local rivals Falkland 2XI to East Drive and after winning the
toss elected to field first.
The Falkland
openers Nellies and Lawson started positively and looked to stamp their
authority from the start. Uncharacteristically wayward bowling Largo helped
this. At the 30 over mark Falkland were 152-2, Rintoul picked up the wicket of
Nellies for 31 in 14th over and Barclay clean bowled Manson for 3
in the 23rd. The
introduction of former captain David Smith proved decisive. The experience
left-arm spinner tightened his bootlaces and proceeded to dazzle the
Falkland with flight and turn. He
bowled May (17) with his second delivery and then dot ball after dot ball. His
final figures were 7.1-4-4-3.
Accompanying this
turn in events was excellent fielding and back up bowling through Nadeem Ali.
Nadeem galvanised the Largo fielding with direct hit to run out Caldwell (0)
and then a terrific diving catch to dismiss Lawson for a well-made 74. With a
consistent line and length Nadeem returned figures of 4-0-6-2 with the ball.
Falkland ended on
169 in the 45th over after losing their last eight wickets for 17
runs. This could have been much worse had Largo not gifted 27 wides to total.
Ali reached his 50
by guiding the ball to third man for a boundary. Falkland only have themselves
to blame after dropping Ali twice but he made the most of his luck. Ali was
out for 58, failing an attempted sweep and being bowled.
Largo
won by eight wickets after reaching the target in the 35th over. A
comfortable victory in the end but not without its scare. The matchball
sponsor for this game was Burnmill Joinery.