INVERCLYDE were well beaten by a strong Stirling County second team at Gourock Park on Saturday - but they made the visitors work hard for the win.

On losing the toss Inverclyde were asked to bat first and found the Williamfield opening bowlers difficult to handle.

The combination of Sami’s pace and accuracy and Fountain’s tricky off spin worked well for the visitors as Inverclyde were reduced to 11 for five after 15 overs.

Paul Singh and Ross Blair, pictured, batted well to take the score to 40 in the 22nd over until Blair was caught at mid off, and six runs later Singh was caught at deep mid on.

David Mudie and Chris Roffe took the score to 54, but Roffe was bowled by Coffee as the innings ended in the 28th over.

With this low total to defend Inverclyde’s bowlers responded well and Singh took the early wicket when he bowled Baxter at nine for one in the sixth over.

Two overs later sharp work by David Thomson at mid off ran out Cairns at 14 for two.

Inverclyde’s captain Gareth James had been bowling well without success but his fuller delivery took Jones’ edge for Douglas Pilkington to hold a good catch at first slip.

The visitors were on 22 for three after 14 overs but no further wickets were to fall as Bowles batted confidently with 30 not out, taking Williamfield to victory in the 22nd over.

l On Saturday Inverclydee hold a family fun cricket event at Gourock Park from 1 to 4pm as part of the Meliora Jubilee Community Festival.

This is a free event for all - Inverclyde look forward to welcoming new families and players to cricket, with fun events, games and prizes.

In the event of poor weather it will go ahead at St Columba’s High School Gourock.