Cricket the winner at Largo

The Glenrothes Gladiators and Largo Lions softball cricketers played out some fantastic cricket this morning, at East Drive in Upper Largo.

The first game saw Skipper Twinkle lead the Gladiators, though losing the toss and being invited to bat first was no bad thing - as opening batters Jack and Joe soon proved. Both batted really well, with a cover-drive six for Joe and a fantastic pull shot by Jack for four highlights. The two Sam's batted well together also (big shout out to young Bertie who bowled really well to restrict them), as did Archie and Spencer. Though it was to be Twinkle and Amy as the last pair who gave some closing impetus, Amy hitting two big sixes and Twinkle 5 not out for the Gladiators to finish 78 for 1 wicket from their 8 overs.

It was an immediate turnaround for Amy, who got a wicket in the first over (bowled), and Twinkle who bowled really well. Debutant Sam bowled well, but ex-Gladiators Brodie and Cayden batted very well against him - though Jack soon put them under control with his over going for just four runs. Archie was next up bowling, and took great delight in bowling the opposition captain Eilidh in the same over in which Joe and Amy combined really well to get a run-out. The non-debutant Sam bowled the last over, claiming a deserved wicket thanks to a fantastic diving catch by Amy, with the Lions finishing on 61 for 4 wickets.

With each wicket taken whilst bowling resulting in 5 bonus runs each to add to your batting total, final scores were Gladiators 98 for 1 against Lions 66 for 4 - so a win for the Gladiators but great cricket played by both sides.

For the second game, it was great to see the recent-debutant but now vastly-experienced Sam take the Skipper duties. He won the bat flip and chose to bat first, following the success from the first game. Skippers prerogative saw Sam open the batting himself, with Archie, and they again batted well with Sam striking a great boundary four. A power-partnership between Amy and Joe saw them add a fantastic 36 runs in their 2 overs, with both hitting the ball around all parts of the ground, though Amy lucky to be dropped with one shot off the bowling off the unlucky Emily. Dylin, another lucky to be dropped, was unlucky not to score with some well struck shots though great to see Jack striking the ball with confidence and calling through runs. The more experienced Sam and batting partner Twinkle came in last, and former Gladiator Cayden would have been delighted to bowl the latter before Sam was unlucky to be run out having dropped his bat reaching for the line. But they had a solid second over to take the Gladiators to 76 for 2 from their 8 overs.

A Skippers prerogative for opening counts for batting and bowling, so Sam opened the bowling - a great move as he bowled well, supported by Joe in the second over. Overs 3 and 4 saw Jack and Amy bowl excellently, conceding just 5 runs between them (though without taking a wicket, the Lions were able to gain 5 bonus runs, so well done to Euan and Brodie). Archie kept the pressure on, pushing through the ball at good pace and trying to put some spin on the ball too occasionally - highly impressive! But it was to be Twinkle who took the first wicket, with Emily playing on to her own stumps. Other Sam and Dylin closed off the winnings well to see Lions finish on 53 for 1 wicket.

Again, with 5 runs added on for each wicket taken whilst bowling, final scores were Gladiators 76 for 2 against Lions 63 for 1 - a second win for the Gladiators.

So overall, cricket was without doubt the winner as both clubs put on a number of fantastic performances. As for the chocolate-bribe, I am sad to report it wasn't given to the umpire but to a Gladiator to get him out on to the pitch :( Otherwise it's a huge thanks to Largo for hosting us and for the great spirit in which all their players took part.