Largo CC, 9th May 2012

University of St Andrews Staff 101-5 (20 overs) lost to Largo 189-3 (20 overs) by 88 runs
(T. Roy 30) (D, Bransden 1-14)

St Andrews were convincingly beaten by a strong Largo team on Wednesday but gained valuable practice ahead of the rest of the campaign.

After choosing to field St Andrews watched the Largo openers race to 38 before Dave took the opening wicket off the last ball of the 4th over, Stefan taking an excellent catch on debut. Good spells by Abdul and debutant Alyn slowed the scoring down momentarily, and Alyn was rewarded for a tight third over with Dom taking a catch at short cover to remove the other opener.

After 10 overs Largo had reached 76 and set an excellent platform to further attack the St Andrews bowling, Nicholson in particular hitting some big shots over the fence as the bowlers erred in regularly pitching too short and the batsmen took advantage of a short boundary. After Nicholson had retired on 65, Dom clean bowled the number 5 batsman before James and Abdul bowled impressively at the death. Despite this Largo finished with an imposing score of 189-3 off their 20 overs.

In reply Trideep and Dave continued their good form putting on their second 50 partnership of the season at a run a ball. Trideep was stumped soon after before Dave skied a return catch to the bowler to leave the score at 67-2 as the scoring rate began to slow. None of the other batsmen could quite capitalise on the good start although Uday hit a couple of excellent boundaries before being stumped and Abdul provided a brief flurry, including a big 6, before falling LBW in the 18th over. Stan and James managed to progress the score past 100 before James was runout off the last ball of the match as Largo completed an 88 run victory.

- Dominic Bransden