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Batting Collapse leads to heavy defeat for Largo 2s against Clackmannanshire
Bentley top scores with 28 but collapse of 6 wickets for no runs gives too much for bowlers to do.
On Saturday Largo 2nd XI welcomed Clackmannanshire 2nd XI for the first time in a number years after their recent move to the SPCU leagues. Brent Bentley captained the Largo side and after losing the toss his side were asked to bat first on an usually green East Drive wicket.
Bentley opened with himself and Innes Macdonald with the pair realising early that batting was going to be tough against the Clackmannanshire attack. Macdonald would fall after being bowled by a fast-swinging delivery by Nicholson before Slade would also go to the same bowler LBW, both for ducks. Bentley after taking a few balls to the ribs though remained and managed to see off the opening spells with Murdo Duncan as the pair pushed on towards drinks with 41 on the board, before Duncan was caught well by Smith off his own bowling for 14.
This wicket brough Sandhu to the crease and he looked to change the momentum of the match as he hit a quick 21 in just 3 overs. Nicholson though would return to the attack and dismiss Sandhu before Bentley’s innings came to an end as the first ball from Jonnalagadda seemed away off the pitch and bowled him for 28. This unfortunately was the beginning of a collapse from the Largo side which saw the rest of the Largo wickets falling for 0 runs, as 73-3 became 80 all out.
In reply Largo were looking for early wickets and opened with I.Macdonald and Konig. Gutha managed 2 early boundaries but fell to Macdonald bowled for 11, before Konig got his first wicket of the season as he got McConnell caught behind for 7 by Duncan.
Largo looked in the game at this point at 26/2 but Shafique and Nicholson soon took the game away from the home side as they pushed past 50 and continued to find boundaries nearly every over to bring down the required runs quickly. Bentley would come on to take the wicket of Shafique for 20 but the visitors moved to a comfortable 7 wicket win soon after with 23 overs to spare.
After 5 competitive games this season unfortunately, this proved one game too far for the Largo side with the unavailability of many regulars contributing to the batting collapse and the heavy defeat. After a bye week next week, the 2nd XI return with yet another home match against current league leaders Scot Lions.