Stoneywood-Dyce face biggest game of year as race for honours hots up

Stoneywood-Dyce host fourth-placed Drumpellier in their penultimate league game at People's Park today and home skipper George Ninan is in no doubt of the game's importance. "This is the biggest match of our season," he said.

A mere two points and 1.43 per cent separate the Aberdeen side from the top slot, and another win, a 12th on the trot, would take their challenge into the final week. "We have already beaten them twice this year," said Ninan, "but they will come here with the same intensity as Ayr last week, eager to get one over on us."

With keeper Stuart Coetzer back from honeymoon and leg-spinner Mohammed Waqar again available, Ninan has a full squad of 15 to choose from, whereas the Langloan men make the long trek north minus key performers Ally Rawlinson, Zaheer Mohammed and John Hutton, although captain Graeme McLaren returns.

Front-runners Heriot's travel across the Capital to face second-bottom Penicuik at Kirkhill with the title now firmly in their sights. "The equation is simple," stressed skipper Steve Knox, who returns in place of Jed Case. "We must go out, play good cricket, and win our last two games. It is in our own hands, regardless of what others do."

Penicuik captain Keith Morton remains bullishly upbeat. He said: "We're looking forward to taking on the leaders. Greg Ruthven, Jamie Mitchell, Ricky Davidson and Dougie Liddle are all back, which means we can field our strongest team."

Third-placed Arbroath United, still in theoretical title contention, face a potentially tricky trip to New Williamfield and a Jekyll-and-Hyde Stirling County side still desperately trying to find some batting form with their Scottish Cup Final clash with Uddingston only a fortnight away. "I've no problem with our bowling," said County captain Phil Rees, "but it's not enough for our top six batters to show they can make the odd good score. We must do so consistently." Stirling name an unchanged side, but the Lichties will be without skipper Fraser Burnett, with brother Calvin taking over the reins, and young batsman Jack Plomer stepping up.

Ayr, whose narrow defeat at Stoneywood virtually put paid to any lingering title aspirations, blood youngsters Ross McKelvie, Calum Gordon and Matthew McClymont for the trip to Shawholm to face struggling Poloc. "It was disappointing to lose out at the very end last week,' said Alloway skipper Mark Renny, "but our young lads competed very well throughout, and we're content with achieving our main target of Premiership qualification." Poloc bring in youngsters Nicky Lafferty for injured Keith Sheridan and Madushan Jayaratne for unavailable Jeremy King.

Bottom-club Stenhousemuir and Falkland, both already consigned to next year's Championship, lock horns at The Tryst after league campaigns they would probably prefer to forget. "I've already counted eight games where we've competed strongly and were in with a chance, but eventually we lost," said Scroggie Park stalwart Paul Watson. Stenny bring in experienced Malcolm Burgen for his debut, Dollar Academy seamer Alastair Mackie returns, and veteran Graeme Gardner will keep wicket.