Home advantage could be key as table toppers clash

Last week’s washout leaves the Strathmore and Perthshire NEC table unchanged, but if this week’s weather is kinder there will certainly be a change from the current three undefeated sides at the top of the table.

ASI Gordonians and Meigle have both won two from two and face off at Countesswells. Evenly balanced with bat and ball, home advantage could prove decisive.

Gordonians have accounted for Mannofield then Strathmore by 54 runs and, with Swapnil Rane, Aman Arora and Jay Bhalini in their line-up, look more than a little useful.

Meigle, though, have had impressive wins, by nine wickets against Kinloch in their opener, then a 90-run win over Dundee HSFP. With Rahju Gayashan showing form with the bat and Alan Neave menacing in the bowling stakes, a tasty confrontation is in prospect.

The other undefeated side in the league are Falkland and they will fancy their chances when they travel to a winless ion8Forfarshire, particularly having beaten Dundee HSFP midweek in the Murgitroyd T20 by 30 runs after Harsha Nawala hit an unbeaten 106.

Falkland’s two league wins have come by comfortably disposing of Perth Doo’cot in their first match by six wickets then claiming a 96-run win over Kinloch with Lyle Robertson, Adam Ferguson and Greig Chalmers all posing a considerable threat.

Ion8Forfarshire have struggled so far and will look to get a morale-boosting win under their belts before the season gets much older, but could have wished for less daunting opposition to get their season on track.

Despite that 30-run loss to Falkland on Thursday, the fact they are at home should be a factor when Dundee HSFP line up against Arbroath United since the two matches they have won from three starts have been at Dalnacraig.

Arbroath face the irony that they won their first match with a three-run victory over ion8Forfarshire 2nd on a total of 186 to pick up 25 league points, but got a mere 10 for a better score of 214 in losing to Mannofield.

If Chris Robb, Roy Plomer and Ryan Cameron can help put a decent total together, they could do some damage.

At home against Kinloch, Mannofield will have to get behind in-form James Musgrave if they are to add to their one win from three. Against a Kinloch side looking for their first win it appears the home side could pick up the points this week.

Strathmore are in a similar position when they face Perth Doo’cot at home.

Mark Bottler has delivered with bat and ball in their two defeats against ASI Gordonians and Dundee HSFP but he needs some consistent support if Strathmore are to break their duck.

Perth will look to double their total in the wins column after taking the points against ion8Forfarshire 2nd.