Finishing third is a new Western Premiership record for LocHire Stenhousemuir
LocHire Stenhousemuir finished their season with a thrilling 11-run defeat away to Ferguslie - but still secured their highest-ever placing in the Western Premiership One, writes Duncan Walker.
Stenhousemuir came agonisingly close to chasing down Ferguslie’s imposing total of 254 all out, eventually finishing on 243 for nine when their overs ran out.
The result saw Stenhousemuir finish third in the Premier League, narrowly behind Ferguslie but comfortably clear of the chasing pack.
It represents a significant improvement on last season’s fifth-place finish and is the club’s best-ever placing in the Premier League.
Ferguslie’s total was built almost entirely around a superb innings from opener Michael English, who carried his bat deep into the innings before eventually being dismissed for 127 by Amrit Dhupar in the final over.
Ibrahim Faisal added 26, with Stenhousemuir’s wickets shared between Kess Sajjad, Callum Grant, Jatin Rana and Amrit Dhupar, who all claimed two, while Olly Townsend and Husnain Atif took one apiece.
With 254 on the board and Yassin Valli already having returned to South Africa, Stenhousemuir faced a daunting chase.
At 141 for seven, defeat looked increasingly inevitable, with Bahadar Esakhiel (36), Riley Bettington (34) and Kess Sajjad (31) having made valuable contributions.
However, the Stenhousemuir lower order produced a remarkable late fightback.
Farhad Haider struck an excellent unbeaten 38, while captain Nicky Rodgers made 25 and Nick Lister added 18 as Stenhousemuir edged ever closer.
In the end, they fell just short, finishing on 243 for nine — only 11 runs from a memorable victory.
Despite the disappointment, third place marks an outstanding season for Stenhousemuir and gives the club plenty to celebrate heading into the winter.
The second XI, meanwhile, ended their campaign on a disappointing note with defeat against Ferguslie seconds at the Tryst.
They finished eighth, having been as high as third earlier in the season, although depleted sides made life difficult in the latter stages.
Stenhousemuir posted 147 for seven, with Peter Hamilton top-scoring with 69, before Ferguslie reached the target for the loss of two wickets.
Hamilton and Arnav Soni claimed a wicket apiece, but Ferguslie ultimately secured the victory.
For the first XI, however, the season will be remembered as a highly successful one, with a third-place finish representing the best Premier League performance in the club’s history.