Century for Brummie as Glens Claim Vital Win

For once skipper Craig Gould had a team that near reflected the eleven he has been trying to field all season and was in hopeful mood of a much needed win. His awful run of coin tosses continued as the skipper from Fife rivals Largo 3rd XI called correctly and put the Glens into bat ( which is what Gouldy would have chosen anyway).

Glens opened up with Andy McAulay and Nigel Duthie and the pair made a steady start with Andy smacking the first over for 9 runs. Andy made 11 before being bowled all ends up by the young Largo opening bowler. This brought Brett Wardle to join Nigel and it was to prove a worthwhile and lengthy spell for the Brummie.

Duthie (17) went in the 13th over when Largo veteran Graham Dodds skittled his stumps in what was an impressive spell of bowling. Chris Humphreys joined Brett in the middle and the pair began setting about the Largo bowlers. The 25th over saw it all happened when firstly Brett reached his 50 , then Chris smashed a monster 6 to get his, only to be bowled next ball attempting a slog sweep for a swashbuckling 52.

A fine innings in Chris's first game for the 3s. Another debutant, RAF man Mike Hunter became Bretts third partner and was looking steady til he spooned one up to Mid on and was walking back for only 3. With 12 overs remaining Glenrothes were on 152 and Richard Cox was next up,and forged a fine 72 partnership with Wardle, with both players finding the boundary with ease.

Dicky departed in the 36th over for 32 with Glens having breached the 200 run mark for only the second time this season. Nick Diston joined Wardle and "Sicknote" was soon celebrating his maiden century. He eventually succumbed to the dolly drops of Caddick for an emaculate 108, which contained six 6s and seven 4s - it was a majestic innings from the big man.

Skipper Gould joined young Nick and smashed a 4 on his second ball before Diston lots his wicket in the final over, swing and missing by a mile!. Daniel Graveling joined his skipper and quickly put Gould on strike with a single. Another 4, sweetly middle by Gould from the second last ball and a single from the last brought the Glens innings to a close on a mighty 259.

Largo began the run chase in beligerent fashion attacking number 2 bowler Brian Morris from the start. At the other end the pace of Humphreys was pegging the batsmen down and he struck first blood trapping Dakin LBW in the 5th over. This brought ex 1st XI player Graham Dodds to the crease and he looked in the mood for a big score.

A change of bowling brought Manju Kadanaik and his vicious swing bowling on and he struck with his very first ball, removing Dale Caton for 29. Caddick joined Dodds snr at the crease and the pair were putting on a very impressive partnership before Caddick top edged a Hunter delivery onto his brow which immediately drew blood and resulted in a massive swelling on his eyebrow. Largo skipper Coates removed the injured batsman. Young Daniel Graveling was asked by his skipper to bowl from the bottom end for a change and took the wicket of Dodds Jnr in his first over.

Another veteran, George Nairne came to the crease and he and Dodds Snr put on 76 before being caught in the deep by centurion Wardle to give Daniel a second scalp. Largo were slightly behind the run rate and their hopes appeared to be pinned on Graham Dodds. Manju struck again to remove him for a very fine 90. Another 2 scalps fell to the impressive Indian, before Caddick returned to the crease sporting a helmet for protection, but by now the runs required was too much for Largo and the innings finished on 228.

A good competitive game played in the correct spirit by all and more importantly 20 points for the Glens.
Highlight of the match was Bretts innings, ably supported by Chris and Rich. Bowling wise the acclaimation goes to Manju for his 4 wickets, with Daniel claiming another 2 scalps and Chris 1.

The win means Glens move away a bit from Leith and close the gap on Largo in the battle to avoid the last relegation place.

Glens face another fife derby next week when Dunnikier come calling, and Gould will be hoping he can select a very similar XI to try and claim revenge for a defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.