Largo romp to victory

Glenrothes hosted Largo at Gilvenbank Park on Saturday 5 June in the Breedon Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union (SPCU) Division 1.

Both sides held a minutes silence in advance of the game in honour of John Robertson from Doune C.C. who collapsed and died on the pitch in an SPCU game the previous week. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family, friends and fellow cricketers.

Having won the toss and choosing to bat, Glens found the opening attack of Gillin and Philip a huge step-up in class from recent games with both maintaining great accuracy at good pace.

From 38 for 2 after 20 overs, it was the third wicket partnership between Ani Apparaju and Andy Mudie who looked to rebuild by going on the attack. With short boundaries and the change bowlers being less threatening, the two batters found little trouble.

Apparaju though was to fall just short of a deserved half-century, bowled by Hanvey for 46. Skipper Paul Culleton was beginning to find the middle of his bat before he got in to a complete muddle with Mudie to be run out for 10.

From there it was up to Mudie to hit a final flurry of boundaries in the closing overs and reach his second century in a row (106 not out) in the last over, leading Glenrothes to a better than they may have expected after the slow start of 183 for 7 from their 45 overs.

Largo opened with Warrender and Philip in the second innings, and had little trouble against the home attack - going at a run a ball through the early part of the innings.

Philip, who had looked very at ease through his innings with some classy shots, was first to go though as he missed an in-swinger from Apparaju to be bowled. Cuisick was to follow for a duck just two balls later as he nicked one behind of Apparaju again with Culleton taking the catch.

With Alan Benny claiming the wicket of Warrender for 41 and Largo on 105 for 3, Glenrothes may have sensed a little wobble. But it was to be Largo's strength in batting to show though Baddeley and Gillin going in T20 mode.

With Baddeley (44) falling short of his half-century and Gillin 41*, it was to be Barclay to hit the winning runs with a six over mid-wicket, Largo finishing on 185 for 4.

Congratulations to Largo for their well deserved win.