Sami Zia leaves Uddingston on a high

Zia bade farewell to the club with a superb knock to snuff out any prospect of a late fightback by Stirling County at Hamilton Crescent.

And the UAE internationalist said that he will always regard his stint in Lanarkshire as among the most enjoyable of his life.

Zia declared: "I will be moving to London shortly because my wife has a new job in the City. I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time with Uddingston and made so many great friends - especially Ricky.

"He has been a tremendous inspiration to me. I am chuffed to bits to have played a part in helping the club win the cup.

"No one deserves the success more than Ricky, and for me, the extra award (man of the match] is just the icing on the cake."

He added: "I have played a few times for UAE, including a one-day international against Sri Lanka, however this occasion was definitely one of the most memorable for me."

Zia (63no) pipped former Scotland player Paul Hoffmann for the man of the match verdict, despite the latter's whirlwind 43 from 23 balls which launched Uddingston's reply to County's disappointing 131.

And Hoffmann was quick to urge the young losing squad not to let their heads drop. He said: "They are a talented group who will come good. I think their main problem was nerves after electing to bat first. County clearly have some fine emerging talent and they have to stick at it."

They had surrendered their first two wickets with the tally on only three. First, Gavin Anderson nicked Hoffmann to keeper Bryan Clarke, and then an even bigger blow was struck.

Ian McGhee - Stirling's most consistent batsmen over the past couple of seasons - tried to scamper a quick single, only to be run out by a fine piece of work by Scott McKenzie.

James Miller and Josh Edwards, rated one of Scotland's brightest all-round prospects, steadied the ship, temporarily at any rate.

But when Edwards perished for 14, any hopes of posting a challenging target were effectively snuffed out.

With the total on 27, Edwards flicked a full length delivery from Bawa to the leg-side and could only grimace in disbelief as he watched Josh Johnston cling on to a fine catch.

Even worse was to come for the New Williamfield brigade when Ras Priyadarshana entered the attack. His medium pacers continued to keep a stranglehold on the batsmen and he struck the first of four blows by clean-bowling Mark Tweedie for three.

Priyadarshana then got rid of County pro Kreeson Naicker, prompting an edge into the safe gloves of Clarke.And when captain Phil Rees and Craig Matthews followed in quick succession to Amir Gul and Zia, a three figure target seemed unlikely.

However, the stubborn Miller and Richie Carswell dug their heels in and refused to cave in. They figured in an enterprising stand of 40 before the former was bowled by Gul for 51 gutsy runs.

Though the Hoffmann-Bawa partnership had smothered Stirling from the outset, it was Priyadarshana who emerged with the highest haul of scalps, four for 21.