Grange can book place in history books with treble

Grange will today attempt to complete an unprecedented treble when they face derby rivals Heriot’s in the Scottish Cup final.

The Stockbridge club already have the Eastern Premier and CS Grand Final titles in the trophy cabinet and start favourites to land the country’s premier knockout competition – especially since the match will take place on their own Portgower Place pitch.

Player-coach John Blain, whose five wickets helped Grange win the Grand Final seven days ago, said: “The big games keep coming for us and a cup final against your local rivals is pretty special. We beat them comfortably at their place in the league a few weeks ago but conditions played into our hands that day and we expect a different game on Saturday.”

Blain also paid tribute to former Scotland batsman Neil Mccallum who, having announced his retirement, will be bidding to mark his last competitive match by claiming a winner’s medal.

“Macca has been a fantastic servant to both Scotland and Grange,” added Blain. “It’s not just what he does on the park but also his influence in the dressing room and the training ground.”

Ifthereisahugeincentive for Grange, the same is true for Heriot’s who will be attempting to lift the Scottish Cup for the first time since 2012 when they prevailed in another capital derby against Watsonians.

The Goldenacre side will also participate in Murgitroyd T20 Cup Finals Day tomorrow and club president Kevin Mclaren said: “It’s a huge weekend for the club with two titles up for grabs. Of course, we go into the game against Grange as underdogs but I have absolute confidence in the squad and fully believe we can win tomorrow.”

As well as lifting the trophy with Heriot’s, Mclaren claimed a cup final hattrick to help Greenock beat Carlton in 2007 and he added: “If any of our boys get the luck I got that day we’ll stand a good chance.”

Both sides are at strength.

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