Largo’s 2nd XI got their league season under way in the newly formed SPCU Division 3 with the short trip to Falkland to take on their 3rd XI. Gareth Miles stepped in to captain the side in usual Captain Bentley’s absence, and his side were asked to field after losing the toss in the batter friendly conditions.

Stuart MacDonald opened the bowling with Collinson and it was Harry who would get the first wicket of the season trapping Barclay LBW for 6. May would join opener Siriwardena and the pair would move the home sides score past 50 before Miles would make the breakthrough, bowling May for 20, Falkland 74/2 at drinks.

After drinks Largo looked to be getting on top with Miles taking a further wicket after young Innes MacDonald had taken 2 himself in an impressive spell of 2/12, leaving Falkland 92/5. The home side however would turn the game on its head as Rehman came to the crease and showed hitting ability well above what had come before to take advantage of the small boundaries and score 50 off just 12 balls. Rehman would make it to 71 before MacDonald senior would return to the attack and remove him thanks to an important catch from captain Miles. Falkland would eventually finish their 40 overs on 208/7.

Looking to successfully chase down over 200 for the first time in over a decade the Largo side opened with Tooze and Slade and got off to a tough start with Slade (2) and MacLeod (13) dismissed with the score on just 28. Last season’s player of the year Sandhu came to the crease to join Tooze and the pair got the innings back on track scoring at 6 an over and giving hope of a historic victory. Sandhu though would go for one shot too may however as was bowled for 22 just after drinks.

This though just set the stage for debutant Tessa Hickson to come to the crease and play a memorable knock for those in attendance from the visitors. Along with Tooze (46*) the pair would make batting look easy as they move the score past 150 and then past 200 with Hickson reaching her debut 50 with boundaries being scored all around the wicket. Victory was assured with 6 overs to spare as Hickson finished on a memorable 74 not out, in an unbroken partnership of 119 and an impressive 7 wicket victory for the Largo side.

This was a great way for the 2nd XI to start the season, especially after such a tough start in 2024 meaning they were winless until July, with Miles indebted to his fellow Kiwi Hickson for getting the side over the line. Largo will hope this sparks a winning run to start their season with the side returning home to face Broomhall next weekend.