Prestwick host Clydesdale as hopes grow

Prestwick today face the biggest remaining hurdle in their quest to be crowned champions for the first time.

They have been the standout performers of the season, playing attacking cricket that has seen them win 10 of their 12 completed matches.

However, today’s visitors are the outgoing champions Clydesdale and the Titwood men are determined to make Prestwick wait for their moment of glory.

A Clydesdale win, coupled with victory for Ferguslie at Greenock, would see the race go down to the last Saturday, though the opposite combination of results would spark celebrations in Ayrshire.

Prestwick beat today’s visitors earlier in the season, though that 86-run success came against a Dale side lacking Scotland duo Richie Berrington and Con de Lange.

The availability of that pair makes Clydesdale more formidable but Prestwick have their own star performers including the division’s leading wicket-takers, Sachin Chaudhary and mitchell rao.

Ferguslie, having displayed a never-say-die attitude in a thrilling win at Dumfries a week ago, have not given up hopes of the title, though they are wary of a Greenock side who are still not sure of top flight survival.

Skipper Jamey Carruthers said: “All we can do is win our last two games and hope that Prestwick slip up.”

The Paisley side are still without leading wickettaker Haroon Tahir and Greenock are missing their talented teenage opener Harry Briggs while Australian pace bowler Julien Hulbert will undergo a fitness test.

Uddingston can cement third place with victory over Dumfries while Poloc hope to end a disappointing spell by beating relegated Kelburne.

East Kilbride, having completed just one of their last five scheduled fixtures, travel to Ayr in desperate need of maximum points to give themselves a chance of dodging the drop.