Shire without Leask as they eye hat-trick

Forfarshire cricketers have the chance to carve out a third straight Eastern Premier win when Corstorphine visit Forthill today.

The Broughty Ferry team would likely already have three wins to their name had their opening fixture at Stoneywood Dyce not been rained off when they were in a strong position.

However, Scott Cameron’s team have brushed that setback aside with a pair of commanding wins against Stewart’s Melville and Falkland and are favourites to stretch that run this afternoon. Captain Cameron said: “We are moving along nicely and are just looking to keep the enjoyment going and hopefully get another win.

“It should be a good game and we know every team presents a challenge, so we’ll need to be at our best.

“We love playing at home and Forthill is looking brilliant as it always does, so we’re really looking forward to it.”

Shire are without influential Scotland all-rounder Michael Leask who is on international duty in the US.

However, they have plenty of top order firepower with Craig Wallace, Rory Johnston and Callum Garden already showing good form this season.

Meanwhile, Falkland and Arbroath will both see their Scroggie Park clash as an opportunity to carve out a first win of the campaign.

The Fifers are yet to make their mark following promotion last season from the Strathmore & Perthshire Union while Arbroath have also suffered back-to-back defeats in their first completed games of the season.

Falkland skipper Angus Ferguson, who is unavailable for today’s clash, said: “Lyle Robertson will captain the team and we’re all hopeful that we can get that first win.

“We’ve had good moments in the first matches but we need to do more.”

Falkland, who face Freuchie in a keenly anticipated Village Cup derby clash tomorrow, make five changes with Steven Meikle, Graeme Watson, Ryan Jennings, Jack Henderson and Kacy Clement all drafted in.

Arbroath are still without South African professional Wihan Lubbe who has yet to receive his visa.

Craig Ross and Chris Robb are unavailable with Luke Hayes and John Salmond coming in.

Skipper Bryce Carnegie said: “This is a big game for us and hopefully we can get all parts of our game right and we can come out on top.”

Elsewhere, champions Heriot’s host Stewart’s Melville, a second capital derby sees Watsonians visit Carlton, while in-form Grange travel to Stoneywood Dyce.