AN understrength Inverclyde side were well beaten by league leaders Stirling County Seconds on Saturday at their Williamfield ground.

The home side batted well in their innings, although their batsmen survived confident appeals for caught behind and leg before.

The rejected appeals then affecting Inverclyde’s composure and normally sharp fielding.

Several chances were missed in the field as Williamfield ran up an impressive total in their 40 overs.

Inverclyde’s captain Gareth James, pictured, and David Moodie took wickets but the bowlers were disappointed not to restrict the batsmen further.

Inverclyde batted well in their reply, opener David Thomson was unfortunate to fall to South’s fine catch at square leg at 40 for one.

The same fielder later ran out James for 19 with an accurate return from deep mid wicket at 75 for four in the 26th over.

The draw had been unlikely at the start of the reply, but became a possibility as Inverclyde’s innings stretched over 30 overs, but the last wicket fell in the 38th over when Pilkington was caught in gully for 44.

Inverclyde have a free weekend before travelling to play Tryst, but practice continues on Tuesdays at Gourock Park from 6 to 8pm.