County keep up challenge

Jun 24 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County moved to within a whisker of top spot in Lloyds TSB Scottish National Cricket League Division One in beating Ferguslie by 87 runs on Saturday at Meikleriggs.

News that leaders Dunfermline Knights had lost to Stenhousemuir meant the Stewart Milne-sponsored side drew level on points – with the Fifers retaining the lead by run rate.

On Saturday, County batted first and there was a new opening partnership with Tony Nafees joining Gavin Anderson instead of James Miller. But the experiment failed with Nafees departing for two and when Anderson followed soon after for 11, the Paisley side were on top.

Josh Edwards and Ian McGhee steadied the boat, adding 34 before the former was out while Tim Yeadon was out four runs later.

McGhee was run out for 29 with the score on 91 in the 32nd over and County under the cosh.

Then skipper Phil Rees and Scotland international Glenn Rogers, back after injury, carried the Stirling side to a respectable total with a 70-run partnership in 10 overs.

Rogers went for 31, Rees for 50 and a flurry of runs in the closing overs saw Stirling to 200 all out.

Scottish Cup holders Ferguslie were never really in the hunt. They lost their first wicket at eight and the only partnership of substance was one of 40 between Stafford and McNeil – before both were dismissed in successive balls by professional Kabir Khan.

The former Pakistan Test player ended up with three for 24 while New Zealand amateur Tim Yeadon took three for 27. And when Ferguslie were all out for 113, they still had almost 15 overs to spare.

On Saturday, Stirling have a tough encounter at home against Stenhousemuir.

Thanks to matchball sponsor Les Sutton.

STIRLING COUNTY

G Anderson lbw b Carruthers 11

M Nafees c Mories b Paterson 2

J Edwards lbw b Rutnagur 18

I McGhee c Stafford b Mallick 29

T Yeadon c Sturgeon b Rutnagur 3

P Rees c McNeill b Mallick 50

G Rogers lbw b Mallick 31

J Miller c Paterson b Carruthers 2

K Khan c Rutnagur b Mallick 20

R Carswell lbw b Carruthers 3

G Taylor not out 1

Extras: 30

Total: 200 all out

FERGUSLIE

D Sturgeon c McGhee b Khan 8

D Stafford b Khan 20

A McNeil c Anderson b Khan 18

P Mallick c and b Yeadon 14

J Rooney c Khan b Edwards 2

S Kennedy c Carswell b Yeadon 15

A Mories run out 4

R Rutnagur b Rogers 4

J Carruthers st Taylor b Yeadon 4

G Cameron c Yeadon b Nafees 7

D Paterson not out 3

Extras 14

Total: 113 all out

Bowling: K Khan 7-0-24-3; R Carswell 7-0-31-0; J Edwards 6-2-12-1; T Yeadon 10-2-27-3; G Rogers 5-2-11-1; M Nafees 0-4-0-1-1.

STIRLING’S hopes of Scottish Cup glory went in the first round on Sunday when they lost heavily to Premier Division Greenock at New Williamfield by eight wickets.

Batting first, County made 169 all out with only Rogers (45) and Rees (32) making much impression.

Cameron Borgas with 47 not out and Willie Rowan with 46 not out, eased the visitors to victory.

STIRLING 2nds lie in second place of Baillie Gifford East League Division two after an emphatic victory of Marchmont at New Williamfield.

The Edinburgh side looked to be making Stirling work hard when they reached 96 for three. But they collapsed to 101 all out, with David Kuhlwilm taking five for 21.

Stirling never looked in any trouble, losing Jon Taylor (46) and Matthew Tweedie (22) with Tom Davies bludgeoning a quick-fire 23 not out.

On Sunday, they had a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s crucial league match against Grange 2nds, current league leaders, in the President’s Trophy at Raeburn Place.

And they’ll be hoping for a similar outcome after they won by 61 runs.

Matthew Tweedie continued his fine run of form with 53, Paul Bielby made 32 and Donald Morton 20 as Stirling made 183 all out.

Grange lost early wickets to Bielby and Scott McDonald and were always behind the clock, their final wicket falling on 122. Sandy Watt was the pick of the bowlers with four for 39.

Stirling return to Raeburn Place on Sunday because Grange have an SNCL home match on Saturday.

STIRLING 3rds retained their 100 per cent record and a sixth straight win with a 65-run win over Cask and Barrel at The Meadows in Edinburgh.

Stirling batted first, made a solid start with 52 from Kari Anderson – her first half-century for the 3rds – and 20 by Donald Morton.

But a flurry of middle-order wickets went leaving them perilously placed before Douglas S Macgowan smashed 42 before being out in the last over.

Defending 197 should have been easy but the home side’s early batsmen made things difficult. Once they were dismissed, however, the rest caved in.

Sandy Watt took four 13, Chris Morton three for 41 and Kari Anderson two for 21 with C&B out for 132.

On Saturday, the 3rds finish the first half of the season with a trip to Boroughmuir 2nds.