BT Cup Finals Preview: County & Stewartry look for second Plate victory

This Saturday at BT Cup Finals Day, Stirling County face Stewartry Sirens as the two top flight teams take to BT Murrayfield in search of the BT Women’s Plate, kick-off 11am. Both sides have been crowned BT Women’s Plate champions once before, with Stewartry winning the competition in 2015 and Stirling collecting the silverware in 2010, while also taking home the BT Women’s Bowl for the 2011/12 season two years later.To make this year’s final, Stewartry – who this season were promoted into the BT Women’s Premier League – pushed past Broughton to secure a place at BT Cup Finals Day while Stirling overcame Aberdeenshire Quines.Saturday’s match will also mark the second time the sides have met this season, with Stewartry defeating Stirling 10-0 at home in October.Stirling County captain, Rachel Shankland, said: “It’s brilliant to be in the Plate final again and every single player is looking forward to it. We’ve come so far as a squad since this time last year and can’t wait for the opportunity to show what we can do.To be named BT Women’s Plate champions would be an absolutely amazing finish to the 2016/17 season; words can’t describe what it would mean to the team who have put so much into training and worked hard all season.We have a mixture of well-seasoned players who have been with County on a long journey and newer players who have only recently joined the team, so a win would be a huge reward and an honour to us all.”It’s always a cool experience to be at BT Murrayfield and the excitement and atmosphere of the whole day is great,” Shankland added.Stewartry captain, Chloe Johnstone, said: “Having reached the BT Women’s Plate final feels amazing. We as a team have worked so hard this season and finishing fourth in the BT Women’s Premier League shows what we can do together as a strong team.Playing at BT Murrayfield is an honour in itself, but the fact we’re playing in the Plate final makes it all the more exciting. The atmosphere at BT Murrayfield is always electric and is sure to lift everyone’s spirits for the game ahead.Johnstone added: “Winning the final would be a massive accomplishment and would end the season on a high and give us the drive to go further next season.” BT Cup Finals Day, Saturday 22 April, BT Murrayfield International Pitch:BT Men’s Bowl Final: Blairgowrie v Portobello (11am)Sarah Beaney Cup: Murrayfield Wanderers v Hillhead / Jordanhill (1.15pm)BT Cup Final: Melrose v Ayr (3.30pm)BT Men’s Shield Final: Murrayfield Wanderers v Carrick (5.45pm)Back Pitches:BT Women’s Plate Final: Stirling County v Stewartry (11am)BT Women’s Bowl Final: Kirkcaldy v Garioch (11am) Tickets cost£10 for adults and£5 for U18 and senior citizens with clubs receiving a commission for any tickets purchased which are associated with their club. Read all about the other BT Cup Finals here.