County go for capital double
Stirling County return to BT Premiership action tomorrow (Saturday) with a visit to the capital to play Watsonians
Kick-off at Myreside is 3pm. County are in seventh position in the league, only three points above the relegation places, and will be looking to complete the double over the Edinburgh side, following their narrow 21-19 victory at Bridgehaugh in October.
They will be without their Scotland under-20 players Calum Hunter-Hill, Adam Nicol and Craig Pringle, who are all playing against France in Grenoble tonight, while Fergus Bradbury is on the bench.
The Bridgehaugh team won last time out in the BT Cup at Dundee, when the players drafted in to cover the international absentees gave a good account of themselves.
In the BT Cup Stirling County have been drawn at home to fellow BT Premiership side Boroughmuir in the quarter-final on Saturday, March 4.
It will be the third meeting of the teams this season. The Edinburgh side came out 35-28 winners at Meggetland in September and County won 21-15 at home in November.
The winners will travel to either Melrose or Heriot’s in the semi-final.
County’s rearranged BT Premiership home match against Melrose has been scheduled for Saturday, March 11.
Tonight Stirling County and Ayr will meet in a repeat of last year’s under-18 National Youth League Cup final when they lock horns on the international pitch at Murrayfield.
Twelve months ago County defeated Ayr 17-12 in the final and the match, which kicks off at 7.30pm, is likely to be just as close.
The under-18s, under the guidance of head coach Matt McGrandles, have already won the President’s Club Conference championship, having beaten the best club sides in the country including two wins over Ayr. Admission is free .
Strathendrick are in cup action tomorrow when they travel to meet BT West Division Four leaders Lanark in the semi-final of the BT West Regional Bowl.
Two quarter-finals have still to be decided. Glasgow University Medics play Uddingston and Loch Lomond meet Hyndland.