STIRLING will today attempt to consolidate their mid-table berth while denting Uddingston’s title hopes.
Both skippers are calling on their batsmen to bounce back from disappointing displays a week ago, Stirling falling short in their run-chase at Clydesdale while Uddy were bailed-out by their bowlers in victory over Ferguslie.
Home skipper Matt Tweedie, whose team have been frustrated more than most by the weather, completing just two of their scheduled six New Williamfield fixtures, said: “We’ve had so many games rained-off that we’re really looking forward to getting a home match on.
“It’s always a tough challenge facing Uddingston and one we’ll relish but hopefully as a batting unit we can step-up as we simply didn’t get enough runs last weekend.”
Uddingston skipper Bryan Clarke, whose side made just scored just 111 before pulling off a remarkable win against the champions, took up a similar theme when he said: “We were certainly short with the bat last Saturday.
“We had no right to win with just 111 behind us so credit to the guys with the ball.
“For us, we need to be smarter and make sure we are taking a wee bit more responsibility individually and batting for each other.
“The guys were pretty honest about things and have worked hard through the week.”
Maximum points for Uddingston would ensure they maintain their slender 2.28% advantage over fellow pace-setters Prestwick who start favourites against East Kilbride at Torrance House.
EK may still be seeking a first win of the campaign but the Ayrshire team will take nothing for granted against a team who continue to display fighting qualities despite their lowly position.
The side team may take inspiration from Greenock who until a fortnight ago shared bottom spot but, following two wins, have jumped out of the relegation places.
Today, the Glenpark side will bid to take a further step towards safety when they entertain West of Scotland but that will be no formality against a Hamilton Crescent outfit who are firmly in title contention.
Both teams are close to full strength with West desperate to bounce back from the double disappointments of last Sunday’s Scottish Cup defeat at Heriot’s followed by a midweek loss to Ferguslie in the McCulloch Cup.
Ferguslie themselves can afford no further slip-ups following last week’s reverse at Uddingston and they are back in Lanarkshire today to face a Drumpellier side who have slipped to second bottom.
Poloc and Clydesdale, both dogged by inconsistency, find themselves jockeying for mid-table positions when they meet at Shawholm.
The match provides an immediate revenge opportunity for the hosts who went down by just three runs to their derby rivals in a thrilling Murgitroyd Rowan Cup final on Thursday evening.
Poloc are without Muhammad Dar who hit 97 in last week’s high-scoring defeat at Prestwick but Ahmed-Raza Hanif returns. Dale, meanwhile, will want to make the most of the talents of Richie Berrington before the Scotland all-rounder’s departure to compete in the GT20 in Canada later this month.
