GALA DAY FOR LARGO 1sts.

Following last weekends fruitless trip to St.Boswells and having lost to Gala twice last season it was with a degree of trepidation that Largo C.C. 1st.XI hosted the Borders club at East Drive, Upper Largo on Saturday.
Stiill coping with availability problems it was a much changed Largo line-up which was asked to bat on a slow wicket with an even slower outfield. Asman Ali who showed some early season form last week opened with Andy Warrender playing his first match of the season. Both patiently built their innings against an accurate Gala attack with Tharanga particularly difficult to score from. The parnership took the score to 66 before Ali was caught for 31 hard earned runs from the bowling of Pringle in the 23rd. over.
After the drinks break(25 overs) Pringle snapped-up 2 quick wickets removing Largo captain Kinnear for 1, the well set Warrender for 40 and raising Gala's hopes of a major breakthrough and a small total to chase. At 75 for 3 after 30 overs there were fears of the perrenial Largo middle-order collapse but the hard-hitting Hughes Gillin and the ever entertaining David Galloway soon pushed the run-rate up to the consternation of the visitors and delight of the home side. With the score on 151 Gillin was bowled by Irvine for a quick-fire 46 which included 6 "fours" and a splendid "six". Galloway's 26 plus contributions from Duncan(6), Robertson(6) and Robinson(5no) took Largo's total to 172 for 8 from thier 50 overs.
Irvine was the pick of the Gala bowlers with 4 for 45 while Tharanga impressed with his 10 overs for 18 runs.
Largo's main concern in defending the total was the fitness of Alex Anderson who had pulled up with a thigh niggle while batting. As one of the teams five main bowlers Anderson would be needed. The concern was momentarily forgotten as Andy Robertson and Gillin reduced Gala to 22 for 3 after 7 overs. Gala captain Millar and Tharanga however dug in and consolidated the Gala innings taking a liking to the bowling of Gillin and Bentley and powering the ball to all parts.
Anderson bowling from a reduced "run-up" was introduced to the attack to slow down and hopefully break the increasingly dangerous partnership. The Gala pair had pushed the score to 102 in 23 overs before Anderson bowled Tharanga for 39 having been hit for "six" the previous ball: the ultimate spinner's revenge.
Millar followed 8 runs later trapped LBW by Bentley also for 39. The Gala innings then simply collapsed with Anderson and Bentley knocking over the tail for a further 8 runs: Gala 118 all out.
Anderson's 4 for 20 from 8.4 overs and Robertson's 2 for 15 from 9 overs were the highlights of the Largo bowling.
Although not the strongest Gala line-up Largo has faced this was nevertheless a fine win bearing in mind the previous weeks trouncing at St.Boswells and the fact that Largo were fielding 3 very occasional but experienced players who all made valuable contributions to the team.
On Saturday the 2ndXI are at home to Edinburgh South while the 1st.XI are in Edinburgh against Marchmont.
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