Bawa’s weather fears for cup holders

RICKY Bawa fears Uddingston’s hopes of winning cricket’s Scottish Cup for the third year in a row could be wrecked by rain.

The Lanarkshire club are already playing catch-up on Group C rivals Grange and Renfrew, who clash at King George V Playing Fields today.

Victory for the holders at Fauldhouse would keep their slim chances of reaching the quarter-finals alive. However, a rain-ravaged season looks set to be hit by the elements again and Bawa admitted: “It’s not looking good. We only have ourselves to blame for losing a couple of games in the first round of matches but we haven’t given up hope. It depends on us playing all our remaining games and winning them and hoping a couple of other results go our way.”

Elsewhere, a series of fascinating fixtures are scheduled as clubs take a break from Cricket Scotland League action.

SNCL champions Carlton can take a huge step towards winning Group E if they win at Falkland but Greenock, a team with a fine cup tradition, will remain in contention with victory over Poloc at Glenpark.

West of Scotland head to East Kilbride on a revenge mission following their heavy defeat to the Torrance House side in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

East Kilbride are the surprise Group G leaders but West and Stoneywood-Dyce, who entertain Corstorphine, are still in contention.

Group H pace-setters Clydesdale will be without Saltires stars Majid Haq and Safy Sharif for the tricky trip to Prestwick, for whom Zimbabwe international Sikandar Butt is the obvious danger man. In the same group, Arbroath must beat win-less SMRH to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Watsonians are strong favourites at home to Penicuik but Dumfries will remain hard on their heels in Group A providing they win at Weirs.

Drumpellier, who have completed just one of their three scheduled cup fixtures to add to a mere two league games, can throw Group F wide open with victory at leaders Kelburne while second top Aberdeenshire visit West Lothian.

Heriot’s should be too strong for Edinburgh Accies at Newfield but Ferguslie, going well in the Western First Division, may fancy their chances of springing a Group B surprise at Stirling.

Ayr are looking for their first win in Group D when they visit Freuchie, while Forfarshire can leapfrog leaders Stenhousemuir with victory at the Tryst.