Murray hopes high after Paris
But Queens loss is bitter body blow
MAY-JUNE Losses in Madrid and Rome didn’t augur well for Andy Murray’s French Open chances but he surprised everyone with a run to the semis where he lost to Stan Wawrinka in a thrilling five-setter.
It gave his fans hopes for Wimbledon - where he was seeded No 1 befitting his World No 1 ranking but when he lost at Queens in the first round to Jordan Thompson, warning bells began to ring.
Brother Jamie and Bruno Soares warmed up for Wimbers by landing the Queens title.
Stirling Albion’s season ended with a 1-1 home draw against Arbroath and it was the Red Lichties who were celebrating when a helicopter delivered the Second Division trophy to them.
Keeper Chris Smith and skipper Ross McMillan were among the players to leave Forthbank but Dave Mackay moved quickly to boost his squad with Steven Noble and Peter MacDonald among the early arrivals. Frazer Wright was named new assistant manager after Ross Forsyth left.
Preparing for the new season, Albion were drawn against Falkirk, Inverness Caley, Forfar and Brechin in the Betfred Cup.
In the Forth and Endrick League, Drymen defeated Buchlyvie to win the Macgregor Ferguson Cup. Players and fans in West Stirlingshire were stunned to hear of the sudden death of long-serving league secretary Donald Beaton, former player and official at Killearn.
A new coaching structure was in place at Bridgehaugh as David Adamson left to be replaced by a seven-strong consortium including former Ayr back Peter Jerecevich.
More silverware came County’s way when Matt McGrandles was named Youth Coach of the Season and the Bridgehaugh ladies won BT Club of the Year.
Weather was mixed for cricketers. County beat GHK and St Michaels but lost to West of Scotland and Weirs in Western Union First Division and went out of the Scottish Cup to Clydesdale. But there was a sensational win over rivals Stenhousemuir in the Western Union Cup when County dismissed The Tryst team for 59 - having been bowled out themselves for only 78.
County went on to reach the semis with a win over Glasgow League side Victoria.
On the bowling green, Stirling County West started with a loss in the Hamilton Trophy but three wins kept them in contention for the quarter- finals.
Willie Nicol (Stirling) won the Stirlingshire County Association bowls singles and also landing silverware were Stirling golfer David Oates who won the club’s strokeplay event and Stephen Brown who captured Bridge of Allan GC’s championship.
And former Curtis Cup star Alison Davidson won the Stirling ladies golf title at the King’s Park for an amazing 10th time.
Elsewhere Central AC picked up a number of golds at the East District Championships include wins for Aidan Thompson (1500m and 3000m steeplechase); Matt Chandler (pole vault) and Emma Mailer (U17 girls 300m hurdles) while Stirling Knights Under 14 basketball stars won their fourth trophy of the season.
Dunblane athlete Andrew Butchart won the Vitality 10,000metres in London and Blairdrummond teenage cyclist Jenny Holl broke the Scottish 2000m indoor pursuit record at the Scottish Track Championships.
Jenny’s friend and team-mate Rhona Callander prepared for a trip to Nassau in the Bahamas as part of the Team Scotland squad taking part in the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Willie Nicol (Stirling) won the Stirlingshire County Association bowls singles