High-scoring affair on the cards as Forfarshire travel to Grange

FORFARSHIRE captain Ryan Watson has a full-strength side at his disposal as the Broughty Ferry outfit head to the capital to take on leaders Grange in the SNCL Premier Division this afternoon.

The clash is all set to be a run-feast with the hosts having scored over 300 runs in their last two league outings and the visitors having a number of batsmen in form such as Matthew Parker and Watson himself.

When you add into the mix the superb batting wickets Grange groundsman Lee Spendlove has been producing this summer – the latest one coming when over 350 runs were scored in a Twenty20 match on Thursday evening – then it is no surprise the first versus third clash is eagerly anticipated.

Watson, who scored 70 as his side saw off Clydesdale last Sunday, said: "We are looking forward to taking on Grange and it is always a pleasure to play there. We were on a belter of a wicket for the Scotland match last weekend and I would expect another this time around.

"Grange are capable of scoring a lot of runs, but so are we and we are working well together as a unit so far this campaign."

The hosts have seam bowling problems with both Giles Holmes and Stuart Davidson injured, but will feel they have enough batting in their armoury to win the match.

It will be interesting to see how man of the moment Oli Hairs gets on after a busy week of exams at Merchiston Castle School and a first Scotland cap yesterday.

Second-placed Watsonians host Dunfermline Knights at Myreside looking for a sixth win on the bounce.

Unsurprisingly, Steve Paige's side are unchanged with Ryan Flannigan on a high after a Scotland debut this week and seamer Paddy Sadler back from a week in Newcastle at the Hilton Tournament with Scotland Under-18s.

The visitors, who thumped Greenock last Sunday, are boosted by the return of key bowlers Aparajit Singh and Safyaan Sharif for the trip. Singh has impressed with his spin this term while talented seamer Sharif is back from injury and will likely open the bowling.

Carlton, who this week reached the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy Twenty20 final to be held next month, make three enforced changes as they welcome Aberdeenshire.

Batsman Peter Deakin comes in for Oli Tame, while seamer Ali Evans – who played for Scotland yesterday – comes in for Charles Legget and Tom Clark replaces Ross Lyons who has family commitments.

Aberdeenshire travel south to Grange Loan without Papua New Guinea internationalist Willie Gavera, the seamer failed to settle in Scotland and has returned home.

McCrea FS West will look to halt a seven-game losing streak when they host Clydesdale.

The Hamilton Crescent men had chances to defeat Watsonians last week, but could not quite manage it and have not won since the opening day when Uddingston were defeated.

Clydesdale's bowling options have been hit by the news that, as well as Majid Haq missing out through injury, overseas amateur Shyam Gattani is unavailable. Gattani has family commitments, while wicketkeeper Craig Smith is unavailable.

As a result youngsters Haris Chaudhry, the 15-year-old who took a wicket on debut against Poloc in May, and Western Academy member Shreyas Chitnis come in.

Greenock's young talent Alex Baum has been given a boost ahead of their crucial match with Uddingston with selection for the Scotland Under-17 squad.

And the Glenpark men may open the bowling with a spinner to combat Paul Hoffman's big-hitting. Uddingston travel still looking for consistency and sit in eighth place.