Largo seconds narrowly beaten by Borderers

Fauldhouse Victoria’s pitch was unplayable – but East Drive in Upper Largo was in perfect condition for the 2nd XI’s match against Borders side Hawick and Wilton.

Batting first, visiting openers G. Alexander and R. Alexander found it hard going coping with the Largo attack led by Parkhill and 13-year- old Cassius Haresign.

In their opening 11 overs, the pair only went for 19 runs, with Haresign conceding only four from his five overs. Change bowlers, the Coates brothers, were much more to the visitors’ liking, with H&W racking up 51 runs from their nine overs, although G. Alexander did fall to a run out by Eglinton.

The remainder saw the Borderers having to contend with ‘spin twins’ Baddeley and Galloway who, between them, took nine wickets. Captain Chris Baddeley took six for 41 and Galloway three for 33, including a caught and bowled to dismiss top scorer R. Alexander for 38.

Baddeley’s six wickets included two stumpings by wicketkeeper Ron Filsell, who now tops the Division 5 stumpings list, while Baddeley tops the bowling averages.

With generous slices of luck and 25 extras from the Largo bowling, H&W made 153 before they were all out in the 36th over.

For Largo, club president Dick Dakin fell cheaply but fellow opener Dom Coates, taking a measured approach in partnership with the swashbuckling Galloway, gave the Largo faithful hopes of a win.

When Galloway fell for 29, Dom was joined by brother Ben who took on the Galloway role until he departed for 16.

With D. Coates at the wicket, Largo were always in with a shout but, when he went for an excellent 57, Largo lost their way. Despite minor contributions from skipper Baddeley and the injured Brown, Largo finished 10 runs short of the 154 required.

On Saturday, the 1sts entertain Westquarter and Reading at East Drive, while the 2nds are in Edinburgh to play Old Contemptibles.