The Scotsman

Blow for Glenrothes as Sharif misses relegation clash at Inverleith

- By GARY HEATLY

Bottom side Glenrothes have been dealt a big blow ahead of their ‘must-win’ CSL Eastern Premier Division clash with second-bottom Stewart’s Melville this afternoon with the news that captain Safyaan Sharif is unavailabl­e.

Scotland star Sharif, pictured, has commitment­s down south with his English county side Derbyshire so will not be in the Fifers’ XI travelling to Inverleith. Glenrothes make the trip for the week 16 meeting with no wins to their name in the top flight as yet this summer.

And, if Stewart’s Melville can add to their two wins and complete the double over the men from Gilvenbank, then Glenrothes’ relegation would be confirmed.

Ben Wilkinson will captain a Glenrothes side still smarting from a thumping loss at Heriot’s seven days ago with Yasar Arfat replacing Sharif in the XI.

Stewart’s Melville skipper Greg Ruthven has an almost full-strength side taking to the field.

Ruthven himself returns to take over the captaincy from Adam Mchoul – who remains in the XI – while Kyle Mccallum and wicketkeep­er Steve Parker also come into the side that lost convincing­ly to Carlton last time out. At the other end of the table, Tom Foulds comes into the team for leaders Mazars Grange as they prepare to host Arbroath at Portgower Place.

Foulds replaces Nick Farrar while Arbroath have skipper Marc Petrie returning. Arbroath are seventh in the table and, after pushing Heriot’s hard for the top spot last year, have had a frustratin­g campaign by their standards.

Second-placed Heriot’s have captain Keith Morton back along with Chris Ashforth and main seam bowler Elliot Rutven as they travel to Myreside to play Watsonians.

With Watsonians having assured themselves of safety last weekend this Edinburgh derby promises to be intriguing and the home side have sprung a surprise by naming Aman Bailwal in their side. He played for them last year, but now lives abroad and is only back for a short spell with Brendan O’connell and Tom Cullen also coming into the XI.

Third-placed Forfarshir­e are unchanged with RH Corstorphi­ne the team making the trip to Forthill.

For the visitors Rob Taylor and Richard Mccorkell join the XI.

Carlton, in fourth, host Aberdeensh­ire with Calum Everett and Ali Shah coming into the home side as Rory Mccann and Omar Ahmad are unavailabl­e.

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