In one of the few matches that survived the weather in the East of Scotland Cricket League at the weekend Largo 1^st XI traveled to Fauldhouse in West Lothian .  On a very damp pitch and slow outfield the toss was always going to be crucial and perhaps Largo skipper Duncan thought that it was going to be a tough day at the office as he lost the toss and Fauldhouse asked the Fife men to bat.  Largo were in trouble quite early on when Robinson was out LBW for 2.  The prolific Walker, who is still to record a half century this season, was looking determined to make that right as he played a very watchful innings.  Sharif and Walker were looking good, finding the gaps in the field but just as things were settling down for Largo disaster struck as Walker called for a quick single only for Sharif to be caught flat footed and he was run out.  Murdoch joined Walker and these two put together Largo ’s best partnership of their innings as they upped the tempo and struck a few boundaries to push the Largo score on.  Eventually Murdoch was out, caught in the deep for a well crafted 26.  Walker was still there for the Largo men and he was joined at the crease by the experienced Mowat.  With the pitch and it’s variable bounce still being a major problem for the batsmen,  they continued to push 1’s and 2’s as best they could. Mowat was out caught in the deep for 10 and not long afterwards Walker was gone for a very well constructed and deserved 61.  It was left to the tail to try and provide some late fireworks for the Fifers but aside from a couple of lusty blows from Barclay Largo were eventually all out in the last over for 136.  150 was the score they were looking for but as far as they were concerned it was going to be a pretty competitive total on a pitch that was still offering plenty of assistance to the bowlers.

Largo came out of the blocks quickly in the 2^nd innings and with attacking fields set the father and son duo of the Sharifs were at their very best.  Sharif senior grabbing 3 wickets very quickly as Largo put the home side under real pressure.  Safiyaan again proved to be a great foil for his father as he forced a number of batsmen to play and miss and was eventually rewarded as he forced one of the Fauldhouse dangermen to play on.  This fantastic start for Largo had Fauldhouse reeling at 23 for 5.  The very experienced Derek Allan arrived at the crease with his side in real trouble and announced his arrival with a straight six off Sharif.  He was to prove a real thorn in Largo ’s side as he used all his experience to frustrate the Largo attack.  Another wicket fell as Kelly played a loose stroke to be caught at cover by Robinson off Barclay and again Fauldhouse were back under pressure at 45 for 6.  Derek’s brother David entered the fray and these pair set about repairing the early damage inflicted by the Fife men. They were edging their side closer to the victory target as they took advantage of some wayward bowling in the middle part of the innings as Barclay, who was struggling with a back niggle, and Murdoch couldn’t find their line and length and David Allan was dropped in the deep much to the frustration of the Largo team.  Then a change in the bowling brought Largo back into the match as Smith had the dangerous Derek Allan caught.  Then skipper Duncan had the other Allan bowled as he got an inside edge onto his stumps.  Largo were back in the hunt and when Smith removed Anderson in the very next over Largo were scenting victory as Fauldhouse still required 27 runs but with 8 wickets down.  But the veteran Ricky MacDonald, who has frustrated Largo in the past, guided his side home with 3 overs to spare as the Fifers were unable to dislodge him, he had been dropped earlier in his innings in the deep and he went on to make Largo pay for that mistake. He finished 36 not out as Fauldhouse passed the Largo total in the 47^th over.  That loss brought an end to Largo ’s three victories on the trot and moved Fauldhouse just above them in Division 2 to 4^th with the Fifers slipping to 5^th in what is a very tight league.  Largo have another away trip this Saturday as they travel to Linlithgow to play West Lothian in a game they’ll have to win to keep the hopes of promotion hopes alive.