County are out of cup

Stirling County’s Scottish Cup hopes were dashed at the first hurdle when they lost by four wickets to Ferguslie at New Williamfield on Sunday.

The local side missed out on the chance to build on their win over Clydesdale on the opening day of the cricket season the previous weekend when Saturday’s rainfall saw their Western Premiership One match against Uddingston cancelled.

The pitch had dried out by the following day to welcome last year’s Scottish champions from Paisley but County got off to a bad start, losing skipper Matthew Tweedie in the first over.

Against some tight on a slow outfield, Stirling struggled as wickets fell at regular intervals and it was only a 31-run partnership by South African amateur Rowan Bailey and the unlikely figure of regular No 11 Ali Mubarak which helped them to 82 all out. Bailey scored 28 and Mubarak was unbeaten on 11.

The damage was done by Daoud and Haroon Tahir with the former taking three for six and the latter two for 12. Hamid Mahmood chipped in with three for 17.

Ferguslie started off in hard-hitting fashion with David Stafford (20) and Asad Khan (22) hitting the ball to all parts of the ground.

Bailey came into the attack to try and stem the flow of runs and in six overs he took five for 18 to give the visitors a scare before they scored the required runs.

On Saturday, County are at home again to Dumfries in a league fixture.

The club’s 2nd XI failed to add to their opening win in Western Championship Two when they lost to GHK Strathclyde at Old Anniesland by four wickets.

Stirling batted first on a wicket made soft by rain and they toiled for the early part before rain forced them off. At six wickets down, the home side were keen to get back out and in a game reduced to 35 overs, Stirling were were indebted to Chris Morton (62 not out) as they reached 121 for nine.

The home side also found things difficult but managed to get over the line with 11 balls to go.

This Saturday, the 2nds are away to Kirkstyle (Kilmarnock 2nds).