Sharif will switch from derby rival to fan

Safyaan Sharif is determined to lead his Glenrothes form horses to glory against neighbours Falkland – then cheer them on in their quest to reach Lord’s.

Glens play host to the basement boys in today’s Fife derby and will go into battle as clear-cut favourites.

The following afternoon, Falkland welcome holders Sessay with a ticket to the quarter-finals of the British Village Cup up for grabs.

Cautious captain Sharif said: “Local encounters are always special and we know we will have to work hard to keep up our run of positive results.

“We have been producing some excellent cricket over the past few weeks and we need to keep up the momentum. After that, we will all be right behind Falkland in their big match on Sunday.”

Glens are boosted by the return of Ben Wilkinson and Vasu Reddy.

Despite being unable to field a fullstrength line-up on a single occasion this season, Arbroath still lead the title race.

For their tussle with SMRH at Inverleith they will be without no fewer than five frontline players.

Fraser and Calvin Burnett are attending a stag party, Craig Ramsay has family commitments and work prevents Greig Peal and skipper Marc Petrie from making the jaunt across the Forth.

Jack Waller and Euan Small return, while Shaun Christie gets an opportunity after impressing with the ball for the second team and in the recent Murgitroyd T20.

Forfarshire are also capital-bound to take on Heriot’s.

The Broughty Ferry boys will be in confident mood in the wake of their success at Mannofield against Aberdeenshire, who square up at Myreside to a Watsonians line-up which has been rattling up the runs.

As ever, the Grange v Carlton showdown at Raeburn Place will be a tough one to call.

The home men will be keen to make amends for last week’s shock Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Drumpellier.