With
the return of football, rugby and the Festival making it impossible for Edinburgh side Marchmont to obtain a ground the final match of Saturday’s league season was played at St. Andrews University. With 4 teams challenging for promotion, including Largo and Marchmont, and only one, although possibly three, promotion places available there was everything to play for. Largo’s goal was a minimum of fourteen points while Marchmont realistically needed a win and 25 points. Unsurprisingly, therefore, when Marchmont won the toss they asked Largo to bat.
Granger and Durling bowled an impressive and accurate line that tied Dakin and Wilson down so that only 26 came off the first 14 overs, but crucially no wickets, however, with the introduction of the change bowlers Dakin attempted to move the scoring on but perished with the score on 43. Robinson played fluently from the start but Wilson couldn’t quite find his timing and eventually fell for a hard fought, but important 23 that had lasted 100 minutes. Still 80 runs were on the board and with 20 overs to go Largo had wickets in hand and plenty batting to come. Robinson dominated a 43 run partnership with Barnes for the third wicket until he was dismissed for a fine 60. Barnes soon followed at 132 in the 36th over but Galloway and Tocher produced a run a ball partnership to take the score to 164 for 4 after 40 overs. The pick of their shots being Tocher’s straight driven six and Galloway’s first ball which was exquisitely cut for 4. Although Gibson and Marshall struck a couple of useful blows Largo’s only disappointment would be that the innings rather petered out from here with the last six wickets falling for 19 runs as Largo aimed for 200. Still with a total of 183 in 46 overs and all five batting points safely in the bag Largo could be well pleased with the pre-tea session. Smith had bowled a nagging accurate line to take 5 wickets and Granger, miserly in his first spell but wicketless, took three wickets in his second. Marchmont’s fielding and catching was secure with Braddon clinging on to one catch via several different parts of his anatomy finishing up with what appeared to be his shins.
Bentley and Hobday mixed some good deliveries with the occasional loose one so that Marchmont were 22 in the 8th over when Clayton drove Bentley to Guy Robinson at cover. Cheety and Wheelhouse, dangerous batsmen both, were quickly dismissed as wicketkeeper Gibson snaffled two sharp chances off Hobday and Bentley. The dogged opener Braddon remained but with the score on 27 Nairne, at forward short square, with his right hand first deflected then caught a full blooded drive and Largo were now in the ascendancy. Holland and Snowdon dug in as Nairne replaced Bentley (3 for 18 in 8 overs) and maintained the pressure. Soon Snowdon lobbed the ball to backward point for Tocher to take a simple catch and give Hobday his second wicket. Smith joined Holland but the rain, which had made fleeting appearances all day, came with a vengeance and drove the players off. Play resumed 20 minutes later allowing Marshall to bowl a couple of tidy overs but the rain soon returned and with the light rapidly failing there was little option but to abandon play with 14 overs outstanding. With more than 80% of the overs completed a result was, however, possible and with Largo having the significantly better run rate they gained the winning draw and 16 points to Marchmont’s 7.
This was the second excellent match played between these two teams this year with Marchmont proving worthy, competitive and gracious opponents and narrowly missing out on promotion only in the last few weeks when things went against them.
The players and supporters, a sizeable contingent of the Largo population, returned to their favourite haunt in the village to enjoy some light refreshment with their opponents and fellow club members and to reminisce over the events of an action packed summer in which the weather played its part by allowing Largo to fulfil every fixture.
In the spirit of good will which generally prevails in the cricketing world and which Largo, and it seems Marchmont, work diligently to maintain, Marchmont wished Largo the best of luck in Division 5 next year while Largo hoped that Marchmont would then be successful in Division 6. Both sides agreed that a friendly fixture would be a welcome addition to their social cricket calendar.
For Largo 2nd XI this has been an unprecedented season as they won the Division 6 title at the first attempt and become the first Largo side to win a championship. The season has naturally produced some fine individual performances but it is surely the team ethic and the constant support and encouragement for each other that have allowed this side to play as a team and, as a team, to become League Champions of East of Scotland Division 6.
Largo 2nd XI 183 all out in 46 overs (G. Robinson 60, Wilson 23, Galloway 21, Tocher 19, Smith 5-43, Granger 3-44)
Marchmont 2nd XI 84 for 5 in 30 overs (Holland 16 not out, Bentley 3-18, Hobday 2-30)