Saints closing on six in row

Forres St Lawrence are aiming to secure their sixth consecutive North of Scotland Twenty20 title tomorrow when they face Buckie and Highland in the finals day at Cooper Park, Elgin.

The Grant Park outfit will face stiff competition from a Highland side that has won all eight league matches and Moray rivals Buckie, who are third in the North League table.

The opening match tomorrow morning will see Forres take on Buckie, who subsequently take on Highland, before Forres face Highland in the final match.

Although Forres are boosted by reaching the Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup final for the first time thanks to last week’s sixwicket win against Perth Doo’cot, batsman Nigel Gerrard is anticipating a tough test.

Gerrard said: “Our plan is to retain it but we are not taking anything for granted. It would be the sixth consecutive year if we managed to do it but it gets harder every year.

“I think this year is going to be the hardest yet. Looking at the teams that have made it through to the final stage, they are pretty strong.

“Highland have won all their games in the league but we beat them in the League Cup earlier in the season. It just comes down to what happens on the day.”

Buckie captain Daniel Walls senses an opportunity for his side to claim silverware and he said: “The finals day brings that bit more added pressure. We have got a good balance in our side, we are capable of beating anyone on our day and we will give it our best.”