Five matches to go in Scotland's national league

Willie Dick previews the top games in the national league five weeks out from the end of the 2010 season...

ABERDEENSHIRE v FORFARSHIRE
The north-east derby has more at stake for the visitors who simply must win to stay in touch at the top of the table. Aberdeenshire’s hopes of retaining the title, in contrast, ended a long time ago and they will continue to play for pride and with an eye on the future. The Dons welcome back wicket-keeper/batsman Matty Cross who should be in ebullient mood after starring for Scotland’s U19s in their triumphant European Championship campaign during the week. They are also fortunate to be able to call on leading strike bowler Tyler Buchan who must have been close to earning his first Saltires call after a string of fine performances for club and Scotland Lions. David Cox and Shaun Coetzer also return to bolster the attack. Forfarshire, who slipped up against Dunfermline Knights last week and lost in the final of the Murgitroyd T20 Cup, are without Saltires star Matty Parker. However, Aman Bailwal returns.
Prediction: Away win

DUNFERMLINE KNIGHTS v CARLTON
Fourth entertains third in a must-win clash for the two clubs with the best chance of overhauling joint leaders Grange and Watsonians. The Knights have been on the fringes of the title race all season but unexpected lapses have proved costly while Carlton, boosted by their Murgitroyd T20 Cup win, have a genuine belief that they can add the ultimate prize. Their strength in depth will be tested to the limit, though, with skipper Fraser Watts, national captain Gordon Drummond, opening batsman Preston Mommsen and spinner Ross Lyons all on Saltires duty. Player coach Stevie Gilmour will lead the side and Watts said: “We have been without key players almost every week but we have a good squad and the aim is clear: we must win every game and hope the top two slip up. But we know Dunfermline will be a very tough challenge.” Ally Gray continues to captain the Knights following Gowtham Rai’s decision to stand down.
Prediction: Away win

McCREA FS WEST v GRANGE
A difficult season for West shows no sign of easing as they must do without Gordon Goudie, Dougie Lockhart and Moneeb Iqbal for the visit of the joint leaders and title favourites. Although the visitors are without their Saltires star Neil McCallum and Gregor Maiden remains injured, the Edinburgh club have shown they have the depth to cope with a few absentees. The arrival of Roy Adams, their South African fast bowling professional, has given Grange a timely lift and skipper Sanjay Patel declared: “We are aware that there is a lot of hard cricket still to be played but we are looking in decent shape. Greenock gave us a tough game last week and we expect nothing other than a stiff test against West.” 
Prediction: Away win

UDDINGSTON v CLYDESDALE
Uddingston are aiming to complete the double over their visitors in a game which has little at stake, both sides being comfortably placed in mid-table but with no real chance of challenging at the top. However, the traditional rivalry between this pair guarantees a hard-fought contest especially since the corresponding fixture at Titwood was not without controversy. Uddingston are likely to go with the same eleven who got the better of Aberdeenshire last week while Dale, bidding to bounce back from a dismal showing in the Murgitroyd T20 semi-final on Sunday, are without Saltires spinner Majid Haq.
Prediction: Home win

WATSONIANS v GREENOCK
Sonians went joint top with victories over Clydesdale and the National Academy last weekend and they have an outstanding chance to consolidate their position against a Greenock side who sit bottom of the table and with just one win all season. However, the Glenpark side’s solid performance against Grange last week has not gone un-noticed at Myreside where skipper Steve Paige has warned his men against complacency. Paige is happy to welcome back pace bowler Paddy Sadler whose wickets were a major factor in Scotland winning the U19 European Championship. Craig Wright, the coach of the U19s, also returns to face his old side who are without Richie Berrington. However, skipper Kevin McLaren remains upbeat saying: “We have to build on the performance at Grange but our top four batsmen have to stand up and score more heavily than we have been doing.” Phil McIntosh is set to replace Berrington.
Prediction: Home win