The second last weekend of the East of Scotland cricket season saw the
Division 5 top of the table clash between Largo 2nd XI and
Boroughmuir 2nd XI at East Drive. With Edinburgh side Marchmont 2nd
XI also still in the race for promotion and a big step towards the league title
on offer to the victors this was a match both teams were anxious to win.
On a beautifully sunny day, and with match
sponsorship provided by Hurd Rolland Partnership, Burntisland, Largo won the toss and elected to field. Tight
bowling by Sayer and Bentley backed up by some terrific fielding tied the
batsmen down until wicketkeeper Dakin took a fine catch off Bentley and the
visitors were 10 for 1 in the tenth over. Largo rang the changes, continued to
bowl well and occasionally beat the bat but Skidmore and Docherty both posted
fifties as they put on 83 for the second wicket in 22 overs. With wickets in
hand Boroughmuir were able to launch an assault and the final ten overs yielded
88 runs as Largo’s fielding felt the pressure. Steve Bentley was the pick of
the bowlers with two for 28 and youngsters Nadeem Ali and Brent Bentley again
bowled well only suffering in the final assault.
Largo’s innings got off to a disastrous
start as Steve Bentley and Barnes, first ball, were dismissed with no runs on
the board. Dakin, however, batted very well in support of
Asman Ali and Tocher. Asman, at one point, struck four successive fours
but was out to a very fine catch by captain Gilbert for an excellent 37. Tocher
also batted well to make 25 but his dismissal at 107
in the thirty-second over sparked a collapse as Sayer and Cook were both
bowled without scoring. McLean returned to polish off the tail as Dakin was
dismissed just one short of a well
deserved fifty.
Boroughmuir, with two games remaining, are
poised to win the title while Largo must defeat Edinburgh Accies 2nd
XI next week at St. Andrews to clinch what would be a remarkable third promotion
in four years.
Boroughmuir 2nd XI 186 all out
(Docherty 68, Skidmore 55, Churchouse 36 not out, S. Bentley 2-28)
Largo 2nd XI 134 all
out (Dakin 49, A. Ali 37, Tocher 25, McLean 3-15, Docherty 3-14)