Largo 2 v Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI on Sat 14 Jul 2007 at
Preston Village Cricket Club Won by 6 Wickets
After 3 weeks of rain enforced frustration the Village People were again on their travels to Fife with the 1sts travelling to second placed Largo for a promotion showdown whilst the 2nds cross the Forth Road Bridge to try and kick start their promotion push at Broomhall.
With the “Village People” topping the charts in Division 4 having only lost 1 game all season and their host immediately behind them having lost 2 matches, Saturday was an opportunity for the visitors to extend their lead and effectively put Largo out of the championship race. Scott Russell delivered the goods by winning the toss and asking Largo to make first use of what looked to be a bowler friendly wicket.
An effective opening spell from Wright and Barrie failed to take a wicket despite a couple of half chances, but managed to keep the Largo openers under control as they eased to 21 without loss after 10 overs.
The introduction of spin bowling in the shape of Tariq Nazir proved the catalyst for a batting collapse as the all-rounder marked his league debut with a haul of 4 for 22 from 10 overs, which included 3 of the hosts leading batsmen. Not a bad debut for the wee man – his ability to turn the ball both ways was clearly a problem for all the host’s batsmen. Initially Dougie Russell had complemented him with a spell of 1 for 8 from 6 overs as the Largo inning subsided to 44 for 5, before Russell introduced McMillan to the attack.
Once again the bowling change had an immediate effect with the swing bowler taking 2 wickets in his first over on his way to 3 for 3 from 5 overs. Wright returned after Nazir’s spell to grab the last 2 wickets and Largo were 58 all out in 31 overs.
The Village People reply did not falter as much as totally stall when Patterson and King both failed to register and they found themselves 0 for 2. The 2 openers have shared more big stands than any other batsmen in the history of the club, but this togetherness seemed a bit over the top when they both chose to give the keeper catching practice.
Dougie Russell and Shiraz Ramzan steadied the situation with a stand of 30 before Russell was trapped LBW. Dougie’s reaction seemed to indicate that he thought he was outside the line McMillan’s demeanour indicated he had no doubts as the finger was up before the appeal was concluded. It was no doubt an interesting chat as the 2 of them strolled around the boundary after McMillan’s spell in the white coat ended.
Young Shiraz and Chris Dixon then effectively won the game with a stand of 21 before Shiraz was out for an entertaining and extremely well made well-made 34. The two Preston Village youngsters were the only batsmen on either side who coped easily with the pitch and Dixon was 16 not out when Andrew Sibley hit the winning run, to keep the “People” at the top of the league.
The 2nds had an equally effective day in Fife when a good all round bowling and fielding display saw them dismiss Broomhall for 106 before they secured the win points with 107 for 8 in reply. Shabaz Ramzan completed a good day for the family with 3 for 28 with the ball and 18 with bat, whilst veteran Eddie Smith rolled back the years is a 5 for 15 return from 8 overs.
Next week the 1st entertain Clackmannanshire County at Polwarth in another promotion tussle as the “Wee County” have now moved into 2nd place after Largo’s defeat whilst the 2nds travel to Edinburgh South seeking to maintain their recent successes.
Sledger
Comments of the Week
“It’s a real Tandora’s box watching him bowl “Shiraz shows that his private school education hasn’t been a total waste
“That was almost funny and was fairly clever” - a begrudging Patterson concedes that for once the youngster had come out with something coherent
“For Christ sake don’t encourage him it’s a one in a hundred chance” – Kings response
“Just as well you walked Ian, I didn’t hear or see anything” – Macca on the Patterson catch behind
“If that’s the case, why did the woman walking her dog on the High Street appeal” - Largo’s opening bowlers response
“Ian can you umpire? I need a walk round the boundary” – Del boy abandon’s his post as an attractive blonde arrives to watch the game.
“He might be getting on, but there nothing wrong with his eyes” – Macca put the incident into context
Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
59 for 4
Largo 2 Bowling
Largo 2 Batting
58 for 10
Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling