Championship: West Lothian still best placed

"I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be picking a swim team or a cricket XI," reflected bemused SMRH skipper Mark Burgess as he surveyed a waterlogged Inverleith this week. Notwithstanding the monsoons which still threaten to wipe out today's entire Championship card, they're still managing to raise a wry smile down Boghall way. West Lothian may only have completed six games, but as the league reaches its final round before the play-off split the Linlithgow men are still le

Boghall captain Andy Raven today welcomes back Kyle Smith from victorious Scotland U19 duty in Ireland and U15 starlet Mikey Miller to join the prolific duo of pro Kruger van Wyk, dismissed just once for 350 runs, and Jared Cookson for the visit of Kelburne. The Paisley outfit have subsided to 12th slot, but Raven remains wary of an attack spearheaded by wily swing bowler Scott Hamilton, the league's leading wicket-taker with 24 victims.

Second-placed Poloc cemented their top four slot last week in the only match to survive the elements when seamers Carl Huyser and Jimmy Blackburn skittled Weirs for a paltry 56 all out. The Shawholm men now face a tricky trip to fifth-placed East Kilbride, still in with a chance of top-four qualification: "This is a massive, must-win game for us," stressed EK stalwart David Healy, "and we'll be at full strength. We can but hope the weather doesn't scupper our chances."

Renfrew, disappointed that rain stopped last week's derby clash at Meikleriggs when they were hugely well placed at 234 for 2 after just 44 overs, will be optimistic about retaining fourth slot when Penicuik, languishing 11 places below them in bottom position, travel west to King George V Park.

"We were very much architects of our own downfall," said Siggy Young of Weirs' abject display after electing not to field first at damp overcast Shawholm last week. The Cathcart men, though, are strengthened by the return of run-hungry Russell Murray for the visit of upbeat RH Corstorphine, who blasted their way to 102 for 1 in just 11.3 overs chasing West Lothian's 204 at home last week before the rains came. The Barnton side bring back Azhar Abid for unavailable Gordon Allan.

Returning to SMRH, they bring in debutant Nick Hay and returning Ross Logan, Raja Javed, and Alex Dry to face visiting Falkland, who welcome back captain Ryan Hepburn, fit-again Jack Henderson and Steven Meikle, while unchanged second-bottom Edinburgh Accies entertain mid-table Ferguslie, and struggling Stenhousemuir host mercurial Freuchie, still thrilled by last week's batting pyrotechnics from pro Junaid Mahsood, who smashed ten sixes and three fours in a lightning 76 at home to Dumfries.