Depleted Clydesdale hope to keep up title tilt at struggling Drumpellier
LEADERS Clydesdale will today attempt to overcome the absence of two star performers and keep their Western Union title bid firmly on course with victory over Drumpellier.
The Titwood side travel to Coatbridge without Scotland duo Richie Berrington and Con de Lange but will take heart from the fact that the same pair missed last week’s win over Ferguslie.
It could be said that they are without a third key player since ambitious plans to bring in Taufeeq Umar fell through this week when the former Pakistan Test cricketer sustained a dislocated shoulder. Dale’s manager Colin Mitchell, though, is content to back the players at his disposal.
“It would have been nice to have a player of Umar’s pedigree but that’s not to be. We’re not overly concerned about it because I think the guys will take real confidence from the win against Ferguslie. They gave us a real stiff test and to have come through it showed a lot of character.”
Clydesdale will not treat today’s task lightly especially since Drumpellier are still involved in the fight to remain in the top flight and have players who are capable of troubling any opposition. One of them, Sudesh Fernando, was a key figure in the WDCU Select side’s T20 win over Canada earlier in the week and the Sri Lankan will be keen to add to his tally of 279 runs and 11 wickets for the Langloan side.
The visitors are boosted by the return of fit-again Mo Afzaal and Sam Page who will make his first appearance of the season after a spell in Australia. Closest challengers Kelburne are also on their travels, heading south to Nunholm where Dumfries will be out to avenge defeat on the second day of the season.
Elsewhere, Gregor Preston-Jones, the Ferguslie captain, is looking for his men to lift themselves following last week’s disappointing defeat at Clydesdale when Uddingston visit Meikleriggs. The Paisley side remain on the fringes of the title race but Preston-Jones knows there can be no repeat of the collapse that saw his team lose their last eight wickets for 30 runs.
West of Scotland could ease their relegation fears if they carve out only their second win of the campaign when East Kilbride visit Hamilton Crescent.