Arbroath keen to stall cup-winners’ title aims

Arbroath aim to play the role of party poopers and force Heriot’s to keep the Champagne on ice with a surprise victory at Goldenacre today.

It seems only a matter of time until the star-studded capital side, who won the Scottish Cup last weekend, complete the double by claiming the Eastern Premier cricket league title.

But Arbroath skipper Marc Petrie is determined to keep Heriot’s waiting.

He said: “We know this is going to be a very tough game against an excellent team who are favourites for the title.

“We will go in as underdogs but hopefully we will be able to spoil the party and delay the title win for another week. We know it’s a tough ask against a fantastic batting line up and very good bowling unit but we know on our day we’re capable of an upset.

“We’ve been in decent form in the second half of the season and want to finish the last two weeks on a high.”

The corresponding fixture at Lochlands ended in a painful defeat for the Lichties with prolific Scotland batsman Matthew Cross scoring a remarkable unbeaten 200 and South African Hayes van der Berg making 116.

“They have been the outstanding batters in the league this season so we know we have to bowl to our best, but I’m confident in our line-up,” added Petrie.

Lee Paterson replaces the unavailable Matthew Hurst in the Arbroath side.

Forfarshire’s hopes of a successful defence came to an end several weeks ago but they could have a say in the destination of the title since they travel to meet Carlton, the only team who could yet pip Heriot’s at the post.

Carlton already have the Scottish T20 Cup in the trophy cabinet, having beaten Shire in the final earlier this month and the Edinburgh side also won the corresponding league fixture at Forthill in what was arguably one of the Broughty Ferry team’s poorest batting displays of the summer.

However, Scott Cameron’s men will back themselves to claim revenge at Grange Loan this afternoon and end the season on a high by beating Watsonians at home next week.

Aman Bailwal returns to bolster both bowling and batting in what is a fullstrength Shire outfit.

Meanwhile, Meigle hope to step up their bid for topflight survival by shocking big guns Grange at Portgower Place.

Grange boast one of the strongest squads in the country, a mixture of seasoned Scotland stars and some of the brightest prospects in the country who have been brought to the club’s academy by former international John Blain.

Despite only managing two victories, the Perthshire side have competed well during their first campaign in the top division and, regardless of today’s outcome, they may still have a chance to secure their status when they host fellow strugglers Stewart’s Melville on the final day of the season next Saturday.