Clydesdale determined to shine in stars’ absence

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 surely take heart from the fact that the same pair missed last week’s win against Ferguslie.

Indeed, it could be said they are without a third key player – ambitious plans to bring in Taufeeq Umar fell through this week when the former Pakistan Test opening batsman sustained a dislocated shoulder.

Dale, though, are content to back the players at their disposal. Manager Colin Mitchell said: “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 stay 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 the 279 runs and 11 wickets he has so far claimed 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.

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.

Kelburne have lost just one of their seven completed fixtures and, somewhat surprisingly, that reverse came against Drumpellier. While Kelburne skipper Qasim Sheikh might privately be hoping Drumps can balance the books by beating Clydesdale, he will be more concerned with his own team’s agenda.

Elsewhere, Ferguslie captain Gregor Preston-jones is looking for his men to lift themselves after last week’s defeat at Clydesdale when Uddingston visit Meikleriggs.

West of Scotland could ease their relegation fears if they can carve out only their second win of the campaign when East Kilbride visit Hamilton Crescent. EK still have one eye on the title and are determined to bounce back after their Rowan Cup final defeat by Poloc on Thursday.

Renfrew will be content simply to break their duck but to do so they will have to overcome reigning champions Ayr at King George V Playing Fields.

That will be no easy task, especially since Lenert van Wyk, Ayr’s South African batsman, is comfortably the Union’s leading scorer, his 408 runs having come at an average of 80.