Robinson Cruising

Largo Cricket Club 1^st XI traveled through to Stirling on Sunday to play an on form Stirling County in a crucial match that would go a long way to helping the Fifers achieve their goal of winning East League 2, and what a game it turned out to be.  Largo fielded first and restricted the home side to 172 for the loss of only 3 wickets but the East Drive men had fielded fantastically well with fine contributions with the ball coming from all the bowlers, particularly Mowat, Smith and youngsters Nadeem and Rintoul. Robbins top scoring for County with 77.

Largo ’s run chase started badly with opener Stinson being removed 2^nd ball for 0.  This brought Robinson to the crease and it was to be a crucial innings.  With the score on 24 Largo lost other opener Walker for 9 and shortly afterwards Murdoch followed him to the pavilion.  Largo were struggling and with the loss of wickets they were dropping behind the run rate.  Robinson was still there however, and a lot of the Fifers hopes rested with him being able to stay at the crease.  The loss of a couple of more wickets made this a real uphill struggle, but with some clever running between the wickets and some inventive stroke play Robinson was keeping Largo still in the hunt.  Robinson was joined at the crease by Barclay and these two edged Largo closer to the victory target.  Eventually Robinson’s fine knock came to and end when he was bowled for a well deserved and crucial 69.  Barclay was still there and was taking every opportunity to flay the Stirling bowlers to all parts to relieve the pressure on the Fifers.  A couple of crucial boundaries with only 2 overs remaining helped Largo tremendously and the Stirling boys were feeling the pressure themselves in the field as a couple of bad misfields led to crucial runs being gifted to Largo and with 1 over remaining Largo required 1 for victory, it was handed to them by a no ball and Largo had won.  Largo have now increased their lead at the top of the table due to Saturday’s matches being a victim of the weather and they will face Livingston at home this week, Livingston are one of only two sides to have defeated the Fifers all season.