Kelburne focus on survival in SNCL on derby day in Paisley

CRICKET realist Scott Hamilton insists survival for Kelburne in the SNCL is a much more important goal than becoming "champions of Paisley" for the first time in more than a decade.

Hamilton and Co make the short trip to Meikleriggs today for the first ever Buddies Derby in the history of the competition.

However he stressed that victory against their rivals was not the be-all and end-all for the newly promoted Whitehaugh men.

Club spokesman Hamilton said: "It is amazing how fortunes change in this sport.

"A handful of years ago, we were facing relegation from the Western Union First Division and Ferguslie were challenging for all the national honours.

"Now we are on a level playing field with them and it is a very exciting prospect to be taking them on.

"It will be a great occasion for our lads because we have never faced them in the SNCL.

"Our confidence is high after beating Edinburgh last weekend and it is heartening to have pro David Harper back in action. He has been given dispensation to play, pending an upgrade of his coaching qualifications.

"He is due to go down south in a few weeks to undergo a course which will enable him to convert his West Indian certificate to the ECB one which is recognised by the SNCL.

"He should have no problem passing – at least we hope he will have no problem passing, because if he doesn't it would have very serious ramifications for Kelburne Cricket Club.

"Not only would we be prevented from playing for the forseeable future, we would suffer the penalty of having all our points stripped from matches in which he has taken part.

"David is such an important figure in our set up. You only had to see his all-round contribution last weekend to realise that fact.

"This will obviously be a special weekend for him in particular, turning out against the team he represented with such distinction."

Hamilton added: "A win this weekend would be a huge bonus, but we don't feel under any pressure.

"The real pressure is on us in terms of making sure we remain at this level."

The two form-teams in the division are away from home, Dumfries make the awkward jaunt to tackle Edinburgh – and along the road, West Lothian encounter a patchy SMRH outfit.

Elsewhere, Freuchie will face a Corstorphine side who will be stinging in the wake of their shock defeat by Weirs, who head for Renfrew.

• Floodlit day-night test cricket receded further into the distance yesterday when the International Cricket Council said at least 18 months' research needs to be done on different coloured balls.

"We are not as clear as we thought we were," ICC general manager of cricket Dave Richardson said after a two-day meeting of the ICC's cricket committee at Lord's. "Some are saying the orange ball is better, others are saying the pink ball is better, there are some who are saying this shade of pink is better than that shade of pink."