Tail gunners fire County to victory

Jun 17 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County made it five wins out of six and lifted themselves into second spot in Lloyds TSB Scottish National Cricket League Division One with a 75-run win over Arbroath United on Saturday.

Thanks to late-order partnerships by Ian McGhee (35) and Kabir Khan (20) then Khan and Richard Carswell (31 not out) followed by Carswell and Graeme Taylor (9 not out), the Stewart Milne-sponsored side recovered from 146 for seven to reach 235 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

County had started well by adding 49 for the first wicket but until the final three partnerships added 89 runs in 16 overs, wickets had fallen at regular intervals.

Top scorer McGhee and Kiwi amateur Tim Yeadon added 45 for the fourth wicket – but things looked bleak until the lower-order batting clicked into gear.

The final flurry of runs had instilled confidence into a Stirling side up against an Arbroath United side who have held the Indian sign over them in recent years.

And in Richard Carswell’s first over, skipper Phil Rees caught opener Marc Petrie. Worse was to follow for the visitors to New Williamfield when Richard’s brother Andy caught Matthew Parker off the bowling of Kabir Khan.

Professional Matt Richardson and Fraser Burnett took the score to 62 before the latter was caught by wicket-keeper Taylor and six runs later Yeadon captured Richardson leg before.

A disastrous run-out for Geoff Peal made it 74 for five before Tony Nafees, making his first appearance of the season, took his first wicket for the club.

Wickets continued to tumble – two more to Nafees alongside two great outfield catches for Andy Carswell – and when Gavin Anderson bowled Kevin Stott with the score on 160, Arbroath were all out.

On Saturday, Stirling attempt to keep the pressure on leaders Dunfermline when they visit Ferguslie.

Then on Sunday, Stirling welcome glamour team Greenock to New Williamfield for a Scotttsh Cup match. The Glenpark side boast a number of Scotland internationals although this season they sit second bottom of the Premier League with only one league win.

Thanks to matchball sponsor Rod Turnbull.

STIRLING COUNTY

G Anderson c Petrie b McAulay 21

J Miller c MacLean b C Burnett 16

J Edwards b McGill 6

I McGhee c Petrie b McAulay 35

T Yeadon c McGill b Stott 29

P Rees c Parker b Ramsay 16

A Carswell st Petrie b Ramsay 10

M Nafees b Ramsay 0

K Khan c Parker b McAulay 20

R Carswell not out 31

G Taylor not out 9

Extras: 42

Total: 235 for nine

ARBROATH UNITED

M Richardson lbw b Yeadon 37

M Petrie c Rees b R Carswell 0

M Parker c A Carswell b Khan 3

F Burnett c Taylor b Edwards 13

G Peal run out 3

R MacLean c Taylor b Nafees 7

C Burnett c A Carswell b Nafees 17

B McGill c A Carswell b Nafees 22

K Stott b Anderson 14

L McAulay c Miller b Khan 1

C Ramsay not out 3

Extras: 40

Total: 160 all out

Bowling: K Khan 9-2-22-2; R Carswell 7-1-29-1; G Anderson 6.2-0-29-1; J Edwards 2-1-5-1; T Yeadon 7-1-41-1; M Nafees 10-1-24-3.

STIRLING 2nds had a wasted journey to Livingston on Saturday when within of their arrival, heavy rain began to fall.

Thirty minutes later puddles appeared around the ground and the match was cancelled.

On Saturday, the side will meet Marchmont at home in their latest Baillie Gifford East League Division Two match. They will also be in action on Sunday at Raeburn Place when they travel to meet Grange 2nds in a President’s Trophy match.

STIRLING 3rds XI made it five straight wins in Division Six and retained their 100 per cent record with a straightforward seven-wicket win over Old Contemptibles at home.

The OCs batted first and lost early wickets to Kari Anderson and Billy Strange but they dug in and despite looking at one point as if they would be bowled out cheaply, they managed to reach 146 all out with skipper Sandy Watt and Douglas S Macgowan each capturing three wickets.

In reply, Stirling lost John Howell without scoring but a 70-run partnership between Anderson (19) and Alan Simpson (61) set them up for an easy win. Both players departed near the end leaving Jon Taylor (27 not out) and Harry Cordner (18 not out) to see the team home.

This Saturday, Stirling County 3rds are due to be at home to Cask and Barrel but the Edinburgh side have already failed to fulfil a number of their fixtures this season and may drop out of the league.