64 NEW CAMPAIGN EK face old rivals in season opener
Visit to champions
East Kilbride Cricket Club’s Josh Johnston is expecting a tasty tussle on the opening day of the new season.
The club have been paired with defending champions Clydesdale.
The two sides went toe-to-toe in the Western District League last season and Clydesdale pipped EK to the crown in a controversial close to the season.
Clydesdale were docked 25 points going into the final match of last season after calling a game off when their pitch was deemed playable.
It opened the door for EK to steal the title in the last round of matches but a win for Clydesdale denied the Torrance House side.
The fixtures for the 2017 season have been announced and the two rivals will go head-to-head in the curtain raiser on April 29 at Titwood.
All-rounder Johnston told the News: “Playing Clydesdale is always pretty tasty as it’s always a pretty close game so everyone is pretty fired up for that one.
“I don’t think what happened at the end of last season still plays on anyone’s minds but it’s definitely annoying to have been so close.
“I’m sure we will be up there challenging for the title again this season.
“We’re really looking forward to the challenge. We’ve wintered well and everyone seems to be hitting their marks in training. Everyone is looking a lot fitter than last season.”
East Kilbride’s first home game is scheduled for May 6, when they are due to host league new boys Greenock, and the league campaign is set to finish at home to Prestwick on August 26.
Despite missing out on the league crown, it was still a very successful season for East Kilbride in 2016.
They beat Ferguslie by seven wickets at Pollok Country Park in the Rowan Cup final last July, lifting the prestigious trophy for only the second time in it 90-year history.
Johnston said: “Winning the Rowan Cup was a great achievement for the club and we will be going for that again this season.
“But the league is the big focus for us and hopefully we can have another good year.”
East Kilbride are back for preseason training with indoor sessions every Thursday evening at the town’s John Wright Sports Centre before they head outdoors in the next few weeks.
“We can’t wait to get outside and properly get ready for the season,” said Johnston.
Playing Clydesdale is always tasty. It’s always a pretty close game so everyone is pretty fired up for that one.