Another grey and miserable Saturday was awaiting Largo 2nd XI and their
closest league rivals Stewarts Melville Royal High at East Drive this weekend in
a game sponsored by WP Roger & Co Farmers, Boarhills. When Largo lost the
toss and swiftly saw the departure of Galloway, bowled behind his legs, and
Dakin dabbing to the gully, to be 5 for 2 in the 3rd over it looked
as though Largo’s performance would match the weather. However Guy Robinson
and Tocher set about steadily re-building the innings against some good bowling.
After a stand of 77, of which he
had scored 40, Robinson was deceived by a looping delivery to make the score 82
for 3 after 30 overs. Duthie, Nairne and Marshall all now played minor but
important roles in supporting Tocher who started to open out. In one incredible
4-ball spell Tocher scored 6, 6, 4, 6 and set Largo on their way to an
impressive 186 for 5. Tocher’s individual contribution was a magnificent
unbeaten 78.
McColl and Keith, both capable of playing big aggressive innings, made
their intentions clear from the start but off the 3rd ball skipper
Keith mis-judged a pull and was well caught by Lister. When a fired up Seath
dismissed McColl and, in the next over, Thompson to catches behind the wicket
SMRH were in trouble at 23 for 3. Reilly and the ever dependable McQueen
affected a solid recovery but so well were Seath and Lister bowling that they
continued to bowl right through their 13-over spells and keep the run rate in
check. Seath finished with 3 wickets while Lister’s miserly spell conceded
only 20 runs. Nairne and Hobday joined the attack and were equally tight. The
pressure finally told when with almost 100 needed from 12 overs Reilly, who
might earlier have been run-out, was stranded half way down the wicket when
Fleming swooped from square leg. SMRH still had designs on the losing draw
points, which required them to reach 140, but Nairne and Hobday shared 4 wickets
to ensure that Largo captured all 10 draw points.
This was possibly Largo’s finest performance of the season against one
of the best sides in the league and this magnificent team effort was rewarded
with 19 out of a possible 25 points.
Largo 186 for 5 in 45 overs (Tocher 78 not out, G.
Robinson 40, Marshall 18 not out, Pennie 2-25)
SMRH 119 for 8 in 45 overs (McQueen 55 not out,
Reilly 34, Seath 3-35, Hobday 2-30, G. Nairne 2-33)