Cricket: First Division

BRAYDEN Tracey shrugged aside his amazing scoring feats for SMRH – and heaped praise on former Scotland star Cedric English for his influence on the club, writes David Kelso.

English made the move across the capital from Carlton during the winter, and Tracey reckons his presence has boosted their fortunes.

He said: “Cedric has made a huge difference here. He is working so hard to push the club forward and one of his great talents is getting the best out of the guys around him.”

Tracey is aiming for his fifth century in successive matches when SMRH square up to Corstorphine in the north Edinburgh derby. He added: “Before this sequence, my best effort was scoring two hundreds in a row for my club’s second eleven back home in Australia.”

Elsewhere in the eastern zone, West Lothian should be too strong at home to Freuchie, while Falkland and Fauldhouse could earn precious away successes at struggling Edinburgh Accies and Penicuik respectively. Ferguslie’s youth policy appears to be paying off, with their rookies playing a big part in last weekend’s triumph over Poloc.

This weekend they should keep up their promising run in the western division at the expense of East Kilbride at Meikleriggs. Renfrew are hard to beat on their own turf and it is the turn of Prestwick to try to claim a notable scalp. Poloc make the short trip to take on Weirs, while there is little to choose from between Stenhousemuir and Kelburne at The Tryst.