Arbroath look to bounce back

Unfazed skipper Marc Petrie insisted there was no panic in the Arbroath camp as he stepped up preparations for today’s Eastern Premiership showdown with Grange.

Petrie’s former champions kicked off their campaign last weekend with a heavy home defeat at the hands of Carlton, but the wicketkeeper backed his young squad to respond at Raeburn Place.

Petrie said: “I told the boys I didn’t want to dwell on that result too much, and pointed out the fact that our record in bouncing back from defeats in the past few years has been excellent.

“Obviously facing Grange will be just as tough, but we are confident of coming away with a better result.

“I think a great quality of our team is that we don’t panic in adversity. Instead, we look at the positives.

“For me the batting display of Harris Carnegie was a big plus point. He looked comfortable against some good bowling and is definitely a talent to look for in the future.”

Arbroath are boosted by the return of ex-skipper Fraser Burnett, while the promotion of Blair Carnegie takes the tally of clan members to three.

Blair earned the call-up with a century for the seconds, only for the match to be washed out.

Player-coach John Blain is a doubt for the capital outfit due to work commitments and veteran all-rounder Stuart Davidson is poised to deputise.

Forfarshire, thanks mainly to hard-hitting skipper Craig Wallace, made the perfect start to the season by thumping Heriot’s at Goldenacre.

However, they will have to step up a gear to inflict the same fate on champions Aberdeenshire at Mannofield.

Falkland, outgunned by the Granite City brigade last week, follow Arbroath to take on Watsonians at Myreside.