Fighting Spirit Earns Draw for Largo 2^nd XI

An under strength Largo 2^nd XI’s travelled to Bannockburn to play St Modans in a match sponsored by Newsmarket Methil.  Largo winning the toss and elected to field.  With only Sayer as the recognised strike bowler Largo were always going to struggle against the 2^nd top team in the league.  Skipper Barnes decided to join Sayer and open the bowling.  This was a good decision as he got off to a great start taking a catch of his own bowling to leave St Modans 20 for 1 after the 8^th over.  The run rate stayed low until the first change in bowler took place, this is when the Largo frailties started to show.  St Modans batsmen Brown and Crockett decided to attack the bowling and totally pulverised the Largo bowling passing the 100 mark in the 23^rd over and 200 in the 35^th.    The fielding was excellent but the batsmen continually found the gaps or took the aerial route for their runs.   With many Largo heads beginning to fall they were put out of their misery in the 39^th over when St Modans declared on 266 for 1 with Brown on 102 and Crockett on 129 which included 6 sixes and 15 fours.

Largo’s innings started badly with Dakin falling in the 3^rd over to a wicked ball with the score on 2.  Donaldson joined Fleming at the crease and this pair steadied the ship and wisely waited for the bad ball.  This partnership put on 44 runs before the introduction of spin bowler Petrie brought about a change in fortune.  Fleming was bowled in the 12^th over with the scoreboard on 46.   Tocher joined Donaldson at the middle but never looked comfortable facing Petrie.   Eventually he was caught in the covers off Petrie’s bowling but his partnership with Donaldson was productive pushing the runs to 81.  Donaldson’s innings finish shortly after the loss of Tocher when he went down the wicket to attack Petrie and on this occasion missed the ball and was easily stumped having scored a well deserved 69.  A mini batting collapse then followed with the wickets of Heggie Inglis and Arnot falling for just 18 runs.  Largo at his point were staring defeat in the face however, the tailenders had other ideas.  Nairne and Sayer partnering Barnes played a crucial role by scoring runs but mainly by keeping their end up and allowing Barnes to score freely.  With 7 overs remaining and 4 runs required for a draw debutant Saeed headed to the crease and with the aid of Barnes he held his nerve and secured an unexpected  losing draw for Largo.

A great team effort and a special mention must go to Donaldson, Nairne, Heggie and Inglis who all stepped in to help out a holiday stricken team.                          

Petrie  (6 for 46)