Big hitters return for Grange and Arbroath’s top-of-table showdown

By Arbroath and Mazars Grange both have key players back for the top-of-thetable clash in the CSL Eastern Premiership this afternoon in Edinburgh.

With three matches remaining, Arbroath are in first place as they look to win the title for the first time since 2013, but 2015 champions Grange are breathing down their necks.

And the outcome of the much-anticipated clash between the two at Portgower Place will have a big bearing on where the trophy ends up this time around. Arbroath were frustrated by the weather seven days ago against Watsonians,buttheyhaveskipper Marc Petrie and batsman Fraser Burnett back for this one. They come in for Craig Cameron and Blair Carnegie.

Petrie said: “We are very much looking forward to this huge match.

“We know the quality that Grange have, but we will be looking to concentrate on our own performance.

“We have been in good form this summer and we want to continue that this weekend.”

Five regulars return to the Grange side. Neil Mccallum, Nick Farrar, Ryan Flannigan, Harris Aslam and Gordon Goudie are the ones back in the XI with Scott Blain, Jonny Brock, James Dickinson, Bodie Hodges and Avinash Yadav dropping out.

It means that the hosts are almost at full strength, just all-rounder Dylan Budge still missing through injury.

Captain Preston Mommsen said: “I was very pleased with the win last week over SMRH and, more importantly, the manner of the win. We were disappointed to lose the week before and it was good to get straight back on it into winning ways. We know that the Arbroath game is the big one now – we are excited about it.”

For Arbroath, Calvin Burnett leads their bowling attack well and already has 21 league wickets, while Elton Willemse has 20. Vice-captain Ross Mclean has 383 league runs to his name and there are interesting match-ups wherever you look in this one.

James Tapper leads the way with 20 wickets for Grange while Mommsen is their top batsman so far with 452 runs.

Heriot’s are third in the division and still harbour outside title hopes. They take on Falkland at Goldenacre and skipper Keith Morton has been able to name an unchanged team for this one.

Glenrothes and Watsonians meet in Fife, while Tayside Group Forfarshire are on the road to Carlton and SMRH entertain Aberdeenshire at Inverleith still needing a win to guarantee staying up.

Preston Mommsen: ‘This is the big one and we’re excited’.