3s Triumph over nearest Rivals

Glenrothes 3s travelled to Dalgety Bay to take on second placed Largo 3s on Saturday. Thanks to Man City sponsor Etihad, Largo's home pitch at St Andrews was out of commission due to a large marquee being in situ. A frantic Friday saw the game rearranged to the artificial pitch at Dalgety Bay sports centre.

Skipper Craig Gould lots the toss and Glens were asked to bat first.
This was probably the last thing Gould had wanted as his team while looking a very strong bowling side had very few players with real time in the middle with the bat.

Eddie Gibbs and Daniel Graveling were given the task of opening the batting and all was going well until Daniel was trapped LBW in the 5th over. Gav Henderson cam in at 3 and score one boundary before being bowled with the score on 17. Nick Diston, posted AWOL last week, was in at 4 and he and eddie pushed the score on. Both players were scoring freely and by the time Nick was caught on the boundary for a fine 28, the score had pushed onto 71. Gavin Howe was Glens number 5 batsmen, and went in at the non strikers end as the players had crossed when Nick was caught. Chairman Gibbs(28) went chasing the next ball and was stumped. Gouldy cam in at 6 and had the unenviable task of facing a hat trick ball from Largo's Caddick, which he nonchalantly played down. Howe was stumped for 6, bring Keith Graveling to the crease. A brief cameo from Keith for 7 until he was gone LBW, brought Aussie Darren Palmer in. Gould went next playing across the line to a straight ball and Darren followed soon after when he also played an missed. 8 wickets down with the score on 101, Gould's fears about hs sides batting options were coming to fruition. Enter Iain Georgeson and Brian Morris and the two left handers set about the Largo Bowling. The score had pushed onto 135 when Plug (18)gloved one up to the wicket keeper. 5s skipper Chris Yarwood was last man and he joined Gandalf Morris in keeping the score ticking over through to the end of the 40 overs. Chris finishing 12 not out and Brian 25 not out, and the Glens total had rose to 162.

Daniel Graveling and Iain Georgeson were the opening bowlers fro Glens
and their pace and accuracy in their opening spell meant that Largo were finding runs hard to come by. Keith Graveling and Brian Morris were the 1st change pair after 10 overs and the frugality of these two kep Largo behind the required run rate. Excellent fielding from Gavin Howe, Chris Yarwood, Nick Diston and Eddie Gibbs was also helping the bowlers.
At drinks Largo were 42 for 2 with Morris picking up both wickets.
Gould replaced Henderson behind the stumps after drinks and Gav was brough on from the top end. He struck in his first over removing opener Dakin, who had been softened up early doors by his former pupil Georgeson with some balls that peppered his body and also claimed the catch off Daniels bowling.
Daniel G came back on from the bottom end after Morris had bowled his allotted overs and quickly snaffled 2 wickets. Iain Georgeson returned from the top end and claimed the wicket of Largo veteran Nairne. Gav swapped ends and snaffled up another 2 wickets, one bowled and another caught by Keith.
Largo wickie Filsell went for a suicidal single from the bowlers end and was sent back by Caddick, but by this time Gould had picked up and gently lobbed to Henderson who removed the bails.
With the overs running out Largo were so far behind the run rate that Skipper Gould had the luxury of bring on Diston from the top end for the final 2 overs. Largo ended on 115 for 9, with Caddick unbeaten on 25 to go with his earlier 4 wickets.

The game was played in good spirits and credit go to Largo for their organisation and teas at what is an away ground for them.

The 3s are now unbeaten in 10 league games and extend their lead as Largo were their nearest challengers prior to the game.