U12s Tame the Lions

Monday saw a very close game between Glenrothes Gladiators and Largo Lions Under 14s at East Drive in Upper Largo, with the Lions deservedly winning the game with good death bowling by skipper Harry seeing them home.

So it was a return fixture at Gilvenbank Park on Thursday for the Under 12s, and it was another cracker of a game.

First innings...

Gladiators batted first, but it was to be Lions to make the first move in the game - Fletcher bowling Dylin in the first over, and then Euan repeating the same in the second. But Dylin was to get his mini-revenge with a lovely hit for 6, though his batting parnter Brodie was out to the last ball of their partnership (bowled by Emily), Gladiators 16 for 3 from 5 overs.

Archie and Jack batted well, with some kamikaze running keeping the scoreboard moving, but extra wide bowling limited the shots they could play. A great caught and bowled by Innes and a direct hit run-out by Fletcher gave the Lions, more impetus and this was then backed up with two wickets in two balls by Eilidh - first with Archie dismissed by an outstanding catch by Benji and then Jack bowled next ball. Gladiators 33 for 5 from 10 overs.

Next pair Joe and Scott both batted well, with Joe in particular playing some lovely shots, though Joe did get bowled by Fletcher in their first over. A number of wides kept the batters quiet, though the score progressed to 63 for 6 from 15 overs, a good recovery partnership.

Last pair Cayden and Danny batted well also, though with Cayden run out twice (great fielding, twice, by Benji) and bowled by Eilidh also, the pressure was on. But both batters hit good boundaries also to push the score to 93 for 9 at the end of the 20 overs.

Second innings...

It was to be a great start to the second innings for the Gladiators, as Joe dismissed Innes first ball thanks to a good catch by Cayden as wicket-keeper (he had a good game behind the stumps). The battle of the Archie's from both sides in the second over, saw Lions Archie run out - though it was Joe again to strike, another direct hit on the night! With Scott bowling a wicket maiden to end the first partnership, Lions were 21 for 3 from 4 overs.

This brought Fletcher and Murdo to the crease, and after some big hits by Fletcher early on, Danny and Scott were able to put the breaks on - Danny conceding just one run in his over and then Scott claiming his second wicket maiden with a well-taken caught and bowled to dismisse Murdo. Lions 40 for 4 from 8.

From there it was to be the strong bowling display from the Gladiators that shone through - Joe bowling Carmeron in the 9th over and then Archie claiming a double-wicket maiden, bowling both Cameron and Euan in consecutive balls. Lions 52 for 7 after 12 overs.

But Joe (always flinging himself everywhere) was to steal the limelight yet again as he got yet another run out to dismiss Darcey and then two overs Brodie dismissed Eilidh to the second outstanding of the catch night with Joe diving one-handed at mid wicket. Lions 68 for 9 from 16 overs.

Last pair Emily and Benji batted confidently but all the bowlers (Dylin, Cayden, Joe and Archie) all bowled miserly to concede just 12 runs from the last 4 overs, and see Lions finish on 80 for 9 from their 20 overs.

Game summary...

With each wicket taken whilst bowling counting for 5 bonus runs to add on the batting, final scores were 148 for 9 to the Gladiators and 125 for 9 to the Lions - a win by 23 runs by the Gladiators.

It really was a fantastic game with many highlights - direct hit run outs from both teams, but the worldie catches by Benji and Joe from both sides were definitely ones to remember! The biggest difference between the two sides was without doubt the bowling, with Lions conceding 43 extras to the Gladiators 23. Wide bowling meant balls unable to be hit (by the Gladiators), and with most of the Gladiators bowling staying straight there was more potential for them to be hit - though the Gladiators did hit more boundaries right enough!

Great to see two evenly matched sides play such a great game and in such great spirits. Many thanks to the Largo Lions!!