Crucial day for deciding outcome of title race

With the season now well into the second half, the destination of the Strathmore and Perthshire NEC title could go a long way to being decided today when league leaders Stoneywood Dyce face second in the table Gordonians.

There are big hitters and more than useful bowlers on both sides so it could be close, but S/D’s inactivity last week might be offset by home advantage.

Strathmore’s battle in the relegation zone continues as they travel to face bottom of the table Kinloch, having moved off second bottom last week by thumping Forfarshire II.

Strathmore beat Kinloch by 85 runs in their previous meeting, with Chris Stevenson hitting 61 in that one as well as staying in form with 36 last weekend.

It was a young Forfarshire II side that lost heavily to Strathmore last week to slump to that second bottom slot and they face another tough one at home against Arbroath United, who have already beaten them in the league earlier in the season.

Perth Doo’cot must pick up the pieces after their loss at Countesswells.

They are far enough from the drop zone to feel safe, but fourth from bottom is somewhere they would rather not be. With opponents Mannofield only one place above them, the chance is there if they can repeat their win earlier in the season in a highscoring game.

Dundee HSFP are fourth in the table but realistically are out of the race for top spot and will be looking to avenge their earlier defeat when Meigle come to Dalnacraig having lost earlier in a rain-shortened match by 79 runs.

Peter Drummond’s century put Meigle in pole position, from which they eventually won.