McIntyre and Butt in line to join Heriot's play-off push

Published on Friday 11 September 2009 22:58

WEATHER permitting, the three play-offs to determine promotion and relegation will take place this weekend after last week's postponements.

Heriot's were denied the opportunity to leapfrog Greenock a fortnight ago when the game between the clubs did not even start, though there were conflicting views over the state of the ground.

However, Heriot's have another shot at staying in the Premier Division when they face the Division 1 runners-up, Forfarshire, at Arbroath this afternoon – the game has been moved there from Freuchie – and it will almost certainly herald a surprise comeback for former Scotland international Euan McIntyre, 57, whose younger brother Ronnie is club president.

Euan, operations director at Cricket Scotland, has had a few outings for the 2nd X1 this season, and he is listed in the squad along with another surprise face, the veteran Asim Butt.

"Heriot's, like their rugby counterparts, have never been out of the top division, so it's absolutely crucial for the club, for a variety of reasons, that we stay where we are," admitted Ronnie McIntyre, whose son Gavin will be one of Heriot's key batsmen against Forfarshire.

"We lost our sponsors at the start of this season and are unlikely to get another if we go down. Some of our players who aspire to playing at a higher level, may well move on if we are playing in Division 1. It would also prove a lot more expensive for travel.."

Depending on what happens this weekend, Knox and new president Chris Jones will soon sit down and draw up plans for next season.

Forfarshire last played in the Premier Division in 2004 and in the side then was Graham Quinn, who will line up against Heriot's.

"It's a huge game for the club and in many ways it's a cup final. We've had a very good season and I'm pleased at how well we've played, especially such teenagers as Craig Wallace and Henry Philip."

New Williamwood will stage two play-offs this afternoon, Penicuik, second bottom in Division, against Dumfries, runners-up to Falkland in Division 2, while East League winners Fauldhouse take on Western Union champions Kelburne.

It's the second winner-take-all game in succession for Dumfries after their win over RH Corstorphine pipped the Edinburgh club for second place.

"That was our cup semi-final and this weekend it's the final," stressed Australian Scott Beveridge, now in his ninth season with the Nunholm club.

"It's a big occasion for Dumfries and especially for youngsters like Chris Bellwood, Stewart Alexander and Thomas McBride."

It will also be big day for Penicuik and their veteran Willie Morton, who may well carry on playing next season, along with his son Keith, if the Kirkhill club maintain their Division 1 status.

&#149 The Murgatroyd Twenty20 semi- finals and final take place tomorrow at Poloc. Semi-finals: RH Corstorphine v Dunfermline, 10:15am, Dumfries v Greenock, 1pm. Final: 4pm.