Forfarshire look to build on win
Angus men get a timely boost with return of skipper Umair to the side
Forfarshire skipper Umair Mohammed is set to return to action this afternoon as the Broughty Ferry men aim to build on last week’s impressive showing in the CSL Eastern Premier Division.
The experienced campaigner missed the 16-run triumph against leaders Mazars Grange at Portgower Place seven days ago due to a holiday, but, all being well, will lead his side, who are third in the table, when they host Stewart’s Melville today at Forthill.
He is set to replace Jack Hogarth in the XI, with Forfs knowing they need to keep their winning run going and for Grange and Heriot’s to lose more games if their title hopes are to stay alive.
Grange are at Myreside for an Edinburgh derby with Watsonians. The visitors are also in Citylets Scottish Cup action on Sunday and, for today’s outing, they have batsmen Ryan Flannigan and Neil Mccallum back.
Watsonians skipper Ewan Chalmers is unavailable, but former Scotland man Dewald Nel is back.
Second-placed Heriot’s also have a double header league and Cup weekend, starting with a trip to improving Carlton in the league.
Heriot’s have Chris Ashforth in for Michael Shean while Carlton have vice-captain Arun Pillai and Rory Mccann coming into the line-up in place of Ali Shah and Rory Allardice.
Last week, Heriot’s overseas amateur Elnathan Meiri scored 139 and he is excited about what is to come. “The last few weeks have been going really well, so hopefully I can keep performing for the team as we have lots of big games coming up in four different events.”
Fifth-placed RH Corstorphine host sixth-placed Aberdeenshire at East Barnton Avenue. The home side have three changes to their XI, Elliot Foster, Richard Mccorkell and Ally Sadler are the men coming in with Arnie Sathiy, Kevin Meier and Louis Cox out.
Arbroath head to winless Glenrothes looking to gain some momentum ahead of their Cup semi-final with Heriot’s tomorrow.
Gregg Watson is confident West of Scotland can put recent disappointments behind them and rekindle their Western Premier campaign with victory at Greenock.
He said: “Saturday’s game is really important for us as we’re looking to get back on track after a couple of losses. Greenock is one of my favourite places to play so it will be great to get out there again and get back on the winning trail.”
Meanwhile, Greenock, having moved off the bottom of the table with victory over Ayr last week, could leapfrog West with a big win and a club spokesman said: “There is little to separate the teams at the foot of the table.”
Greenock bring in Tom Forrest and Sehmat Pandher for Sean Fischer-keogh and Sam Sanghera, while West are at full strength.
Last week’s defeat saw Ayr slip into the relegation places and they face a daunting task to hoist themselves back up the table when runaway leaders Ferguslie visit Cambusdoon. Andi Mcelnea’s side have managed just two wins all season, and it is unlikely that the Paisley side will be distracted by tomorrow’s eagerly anticipated Scottish Cup semi-final at Grange.
Elsewhere, Poloc, having slipped from third to sixth following last week’s defeat at Prestwick, will head back in the right direction if they can fashion a rare southside derby win over second-top Clydesdale at Shawholm. However, they face a Dale side looking to bounce back from last week’s home reverse to Stirling.
Stirling go into their home fixture against Uddingston in high spirits after winning the Rowan Cup in midweek to reach Murgitroyd T20 finals day, while Dumfries will look to climb off bottom spot with a home win against outgoing champions Prestwick.