With half the season over table topping Largo 2nd XI visited Edinburgh to
play Heriots on Saturday in a match sponsored by John W Mitchell, Grocers and
Butchers of Ceres. Perhaps it was the very blustery conditions that the upset
the rhythm of the Largo bowlers, Hobday and Sayer, but combined with some shoddy
fielding Heriots got off to a flier and scored 27 in only 6 overs. Brent
Robinson joined the attack and faired no better. Nairne finally dismissed
Panesar courtesy of a sharp catch by Barnes at slip but Hill was batting
beautifully and some rustic hitting from Adam threatened to take the game
completely away from Largo as the hundred came up in the 23rd over.
Nairne brought Largo back into the game by bowling Adam and then having McQueen
caught in the same over. Hobday returned to mix some fine deliveries with too
many short ones and Sayer bowled a good spell, but it was the introduction of
Galloway that brought Hill‘s excellent innings to and end as wicketkeeper
Barclay took a fine catch. Largo, having at least partially dragged themselves
back into the game, were set a demanding 173 for victory.
Dakin and Galloway were quickly dismissed but some eminently sensible
batting saw Largo reach 50 in the 19th over. With 123 required off
the remaining 26 overs Guy Robinson and Barnes put on 79 runs in 10 overs with a
mixture of splendid shots and sharp running. The return of the tireless
Edwardson saw Robinson’s demise just when he had reached his 50 and the
partnership had amassed 116. Barnes and Sayer fell immediately so that 3 wickets
had fallen for 3 runs and a frail tail was in danger of being exposed, however,
captain and vice-captain Nairne and Fleming rose to the occasion splendidly and
crafted an unbeaten 40 run partnership to see Largo home to a fine victory with
20 balls remaining.
Next week second placed SMRH are the visitors for a crucial encounter.
Heriots 172 for 8 (Hill 78, Panesar 33, G. Nairne
3-31, Galloway 2-20, Hobday 2-53)
Largo 174 for 5 (G. Robinson 50, Barnes 48, G. Nairne
21 not out, Edwardson 2-31)