Last August, Heriot’s defeated Edinburgh rivals Watsonians in the final to lift the Men’s Scottish Cup at Ayr’s New Cambusdoon ground – this weekend the road to glory in 2022 begins.
Stoneywood Dyce, Freuchie, Tunnock’s Uddingston and McCrea FS West of Scotland have been handed byes through to round two of this year’s Scottish Cup, but on Sunday another 24 clubs will be playing in round one ties.
In the top half of the draw, Arbroath and Forfarshire meet at Lochlands, Carlton host Greenock at Grange Loan, holders Heriot’s make the trip west to Shawholm to take on Poloc, Aberdeenshire welcome Drumpellier to Mannofield, RH Corstorphine travel to the Henry Thow Oval to play Prestwick and Calero Keburne take on 2021 runners-up Watsonians at Whitehaugh.
In the bottom half of the draw Perth Doo’cot and Gala are looking forward to testing themselves against strong opponents.
Perth Doo’cot welcome Western Premier League outfit Langside to Doo’cot Park and home skipper Rory Pennycook said: “These are the kind of games as a club and as a player you want to be involved in.
“Our first league match of the season [against Arbroath second XI in the SPCU North East Championship] started and was then abandoned while last weekend we lost out to a Safyaan Sharif-inspired Freuchie in a close game.
“In midweek we got a big boost by defeating Arbroath in the regional T20 competition at Lochlands and that has left us feeling good ahead of Langside’s visit.
“We know they will be a strong side, but we always enjoy playing at home and there is real competition for places amongst the players here now and the junior section is growing nice, so things are going well and we’ll give it our best shot on Sunday.”
Gala got a taste of the big time last year when they competed in the national T20 finals day at Lochlands.
In the Cup on Sunday the Borderers will be on the road to Titwood to take on Western Premier League side Clydesdale and Josh Irvine, skipper of the ESCA Championship outfit, said: “Titwood is one of the most iconic grounds in Scotland so the team are really looking forward to heading through there to play.
“Clydesdale are a big club and they will definitely be favourites, but the run to last year’s T20 finals day made the players want to play in big occasions like that again and test ourselves against good opponents.
“That run also helped create a bit of a buzz around cricket in the town and we are keen to keep that going through the 2022 summer as the junior and senior sections keep on growing.”
Sri Lankan professional Upul Indrasiri and South African Ridwan Khalia could be key men for Gala in Glasgow.
Elsewhere in the bottom half, M8 Driving Ferguslie are away to The Tryst to take on Stenhousemuir, SM Cricket Stirling County welcome Ayr to New Williamfield, Meigle make a trip to Edinburgh to take on Gen!us Grange and Eastern Premier League rivals Falkland and Stewart’s Melville clash at Scroggie Park.
Perth Doo’cot skipper Rory Pennycook is pictured
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