Heriot's '˜ready to bounce back' in final against Grange

Heriot's player/coach Peter Ross believes his side are in a good frame of mind heading into Sunday's rearranged Citylets Scottish Cup final with Capital rivals Mazars Grange.
Peter Ross wants silverware with Heriots. Pic: TSPLPeter Ross wants silverware with Heriots. Pic: TSPL
Peter Ross wants silverware with Heriots. Pic: TSPL

The Goldenacre men saw their slim chances of retaining the CSL Eastern Premier Division title slip through their hands six days ago when Grange defeated them comfortably on their own patch.

That gave Grange the title and the Cup final was then supposed to be the following day in Paisley.

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Overnight and early morning rain on Sunday saw that one washed out, but the two teams will be back at Ferguslie’s Meikleriggs ground this weekend if the weather plays ball.

Certainly some of the Heriot’s players will have been keen to have a crack at Grange last Sunday and gain revenge quickly, but the delay may have allowed them to regroup and refocus.

The team still have the national T20 trophy to play for on a date to be confirmed and Ross, 25, said: “We were obviously disappointed with how last week’s league match against Grange went, we did not play to our capabilities, but credit to them.

“Of course we would have loved to defend the title, but the fact that we competed for it so well again shows the strides that the club is making and we have the Scottish Cup and the T20 finals trophy still to play for.

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“The second XI secured the East One title last weekend and to have them in the Championship next summer will be great to help prepare a wider group of players for first team cricket.

“The third team also gained promotion last weekend [up to East Three for 2019] so the hard work put in by president Kevin McLaren and the players is really paying off.

“In terms of the Cup final, we are all looking forward to it as these are the kind of games that you want to be involved in at this stage of the year.

“We have trained well this week and everyone is ready to head through to Paisley and give it our all.”

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In Grange’s league win at Goldenacre last weekend, Tom Foulds played an important innings of 43 not out and took a catch.

Originally from down south, the 27-year-old has been with the Portgower Place men for a few years now, first joining when he was studying at Edinburgh University.

And the personal trainer admits he would love to be involved in the Cup final.

“We have such a strong pool of players at Grange that sometimes it can be hard to get a place in the first XI, but I hope that when I have been involved this season I have played my part,” Foulds said.

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“Last week Stuart Davidson said the club spirit was as good as he could remember it and I would have to agree.

“Everyone gets on really well and creates a playing environment that makes you want to go out and express yourself and do a job for the team.

“I don’t know if I will be playing on Sunday or not, but whatever happens I will be there and we want to get another trophy to really make it a season to remember.”

Last week Grange’s second XI clinched the Eastern Championship, but cannot be promoted.

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Before the Cup final on Sunday, there is the final round of top flight league matches to come tomorrow.

With the title and relegation already decided there is not too much to play for, but all local clubs will want to end on a high note.

Grange host Stewart’s Melville, RH Corstorphine are at Carlton, Watsonians take on Aberdeenshire at Myreside and Heriot’s are at Arbroath.