Scottish Cricket: Weather threatens finale to season (4 Sep 1998)

4 September 1998

Scottish Cricket: Weather threatens finale to season

By Keith Graham

IF the weather forecasters are right, the season could end just as it began, with the last round of matches in Conference C threatened by rain.

The only issue to be settled is who will clinch fourth place in the table and join Ayr, Aberdeenshire and Ferguslie in next season's top flight. There are two main contenders, Greenock and Prestwick, though Freuchie still having a mathematical chance of going up.

However, the spotlight is bound to be on Glenpark where fourth-placed Greenock entertain Aberdeenshire and Bothwell Castle, where fifth in the table Prestwick, only a single percentage point behind, face Uddingston.

A repeat of Aberdeenshire's carefree approach with the bat at Meikleriggs last week would certainly undermine their hopes of finishing at the top, a situation which would of course, work in favour of Greenock.

The Glenpark side, having lost the Duthie brothers to retirement, have worked hard this year under the leadership of Ken Godsman. Andre Percival's form has been mercurial but their overseas amateur Chris Swan has been a revelation with both bat and ball.

Aberdeenshire will also have Sunday's County Cup final clash on their minds and that could also work in favour of the home team.

Prestwick are still smarting from their one-run defeat last Sunday in the Scottish Cup final. In Martin Hay, they have a promising young paceman and although they will be without the influential Drew Parsons, on duty with Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, the experience of Dom Rigby, Gavin Richmond, David Haggo, David Harper and Javed Ashraf should be enough to bring home the points.

The main interest in top of the table Ayr's visit to Stirling is the possibility of batsman Kevin Roberts reaching 1,000 runs. The Australian is just 38 short.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)