Vibrant SMRH eye first Dumfries win

The new-look Inverleith team, rejuvenated by a plethora of close-season signings, have made a vibrant start to their campaign, winning three out of four. Take a fine pro in Central Districts and ex-New Zealand Under-19 all-rounder George Walker, and add to the nucleus of last year's squad 37-times capped ex-Carlton batsman Bryn Lockie, two precocious teenagers in overseas amateur Braydon Tracey from Melbourne, and opening bat Alex Shaw from Perth along with ex-Heriot's bowler Raja Javed and you can see why skipper Greg Bissett is so optimistic.

"Our big squad will be fully stretched at Nunholm, where we've never before won a league match," acknowledges upbeat but pragmatic Bissett. "But there's a great spirit and determination about the club just now."

Ed Pickmere makes his 1st XI debut, and there's also a start for teenage batsman TJ Beattie. Dumfries, foiled by a particularly wretched run of bad weather, looked to be belatedly kick-starting their season last weekend against Edinburgh Accies, only to be balked once more by the elements. Veteran Davie Davidson had especial reason to rue the rain, left stranded unbeaten on 88 in the 36th over, and he's unavailable today. Captain Stuart Corbett-Byers returns, as does seamer Robert McBride for rookie bowler Niall Alexander. Yet more unseasonal weather has hampered preparation for "the battle of the batters".

Another toothy tussle is in prospect at King George V Park, where unchanged Renfrew host unbeaten West Lothian, who were unlucky not to make it three successive wins last week when they had Ferguslie reeling at 113 all out before rain intervened. Today's outcome could well hinge on the delivery of the respective pros. Prolific Kruger van Wyk, currently averaging over 80 with ten centuries and 18 50s in 60 league games for the Linlithgow outfit, goes head to head with Ahmed Said, now in his fifth season at Renfrew, and coming off the back of yet another superlative first class season back home as keeper-bat at North West Frontier Province. Unchanged Edinburgh Accies, boosted by their defeat of SMRH, again look to in-form pro Dan Rixon to lead their charge at home to Stenhousemuir, struggling to get going, but encouraged by the promise of new pro Rushdie Jappie, and the return of all-rounder Iain McDonald.

Youthful Ferguslie, still without pro Prav Mullick, welcome Mark Gilchrist's as yet untried Weirs, still to complete a second match, whilst Kelburne, buoyed by last week's 264 at Barnton, host Penicuik, again seeking inspiration from West Indian pro Ryan Nurse.

Freuchie recall Robbie Birrell and Andy Sutherland for the visit of RH Corstorphine. Elsewhere Falkland face East Kilbride.