Colin Mitchell fears rain could wreck Clydesdale’s chances of coming from behind to make a concerted title challenge.
The reigning champions are still playing catch-up following four defeats during the first half of the campaign.
They have recaptured top form, winning three games on the trot in convincing fashion since the return from international duty of all-rounders Richie Berrington and Con de Lange.
But last week’s home clash with Dumfries was ko’d by rain and there are weather concerns over today’s card when Dale are due to visit second top Ferguslie, seeking revenge for defeat earlier in the season.
Despite sitting sixth, Clydesdale could still make a late dart for the tape in the closest race in years but spokesman Mitchell declared: “One of the key factors in who wins the league will be what games get rained off.
“Once you’re ahead a game off isn’t too bad but if you’re behind dead weekends are a disaster. That has always been the case but recently we’ve not been in this position and all we can do is hope our games are on.
“If every game is on for the remainder of the season I’d hope we can get in the mix.”
Ferguslie skipper Jamey Carruthers, meanwhile, has warned against complacency as the season reaches its climax and said: “There is no room for slip-ups. We want to keep improving.”
The Paisley side will look to Riyaad Henry to continue the form that saw him score two centuries for a Scotland Development XI during the week but they are without leading wicket-taker Haroon Tahir who is on Scotland U19 duty at the World Cup qualifiers in Jersey.
Dale, buoyed by a Rowan Cup semi-final win over Prestwick on Thursday evening, field teenager Angus Guy following his recent century for Scotland U17.
Uddingston skipper Bryan Clarke believes the pressure is all on Prestwick when the leaders visit Bothwell Castle.
Clarke’s side had a spell at the summit and will remain firmly in contention if they can complete the double over the Ayrshiremen whom they beat by four runs in May.
He said: “I’d say it’s a must-win for Prestwick if they want to stay top – it’s still very tight at the top but it’s probably theirs to lose if you look at the remaining fixtures.
“We managed to win a tight one at their place so hopefully we can do the same again.”
Uddingston welcome back Ross Lyons but Riley McGuire is struggling with a heel injury.
Prestwick skipper Shahzad Rafiq has told his side to look no further than today’s match and has challenged them to record a fifth straight win.
Poloc, joint fourth, entertain third top Ayr in another fixture which has a must-win look but the Shawholm men are without Scotland U19 duo Owais Shah and Ihtisham Malik while the visitors’ leading strike bowler Scott McElnea is injured.
Greenock can go a long way to securing top flight survival if they get the better of winless Kelburne at Glenpark while Dumfries must beat East Kilbride at Nunholm to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle.
