Wright casts aside loyalty issue in support of Greenock

CRAIG Wright, Saltires all-rounder, Greenock captain and Scotland Under-19 coach, always knew this season was likely to throw up conflicts of interest.

But the former Scotland captain could hardly have been ready for the clash of loyalties which beset him last Sunday, as he watched Scotland Under-19s rattle up 316-6 to beat his own club.

Wright, who watched the game from the sidelines, admitted: "It was a bizarre situation for me, and I have to say I had very mixed emotions. As U19s coach it was brilliant to see the youngsters convert a lot of the things we've been talking about in training into a match situation.

"But from a Greenock point of view it was a terrible result and could prove costly. There were five points up for grabs and the club has missed out."

Wright had been due to play for the Saltires in last Sunday's FP Trophy clash with Durham at the Citylets Grange. But, when he failed a late fitness test, he made the trip from Edinburgh to Greenock in time to see Freddie Coleman make 103 and Watsonians opener Euan Chalmers strike 105 before captain Fraser Burnett thrashed a quickfire 57.

Champions Greenock, denied the services of Dewald Nel and Sean Weeraratna, who were on Saltires duty, were then bundled out for 224 as spinner Andrew Brock claimed 4-41.

Now Wright is looking for Greenock to bounce back against Heriot's at Goldenacre today, while hoping the U19s can upset leaders Carlton at Grange Loan tomorrow.

"As defending champions, last weekend was a bad one for Greenock with defeat to Grange on Saturday as well as Sunday's shock," said Wright. "We have to hit back right away and put a run of wins together. It would also help Greenock's cause if the youngsters can take points off a few other senior sides."

Wright's proposal to admit the U19s to the Premier Division for the first time met stiff resistance during the winter, but they are already silencing many of their critics.

Elsewhere today, title favourites Grange face another stern test when they travel to Titwood to face a Clydesdale side, who have managed just one completed fixture this season.

Sanjay Patel, the Grange captain, said: "Last week's result has given us tremendous confidence and I want the lads to be as positive as they were against Greenock."

The Edinburgh side are unchanged, while Clydesdale welcome back Zeeshan Bashir, Craig Smith and Gordon Munro.

Prior to entertaining Wright's Colts tomorrow, Carlton are on dangerous ground when they visit Poloc.

The Shawholm side, who bring in Matt Coyle for Madushan Jayaratne, have failed to fire so far, but are always a tough proposition on home soil.

Carlton skipper Cedric English said: "The two games this weekend give us an excellent chance to consolidate our position, but I'd rather concentrate on producing our best cricket and if we do that results should follow."

Peter Swan replaces Darren Spink for today's match, while promising young seamer Ally Evans will play against his U19 colleagues tomorrow.

Ayr, having beaten Grange and Uddingston, are aiming for a third scalp in a row when they entertain Ferguslie.

The home side are likely to be unchanged, while Ferguslie welcome overseas amateur Wasim Haslim, an all-rounder from Guyana who makes his debut, but Majid Haq is still out.

Watsonians, seeking their first win, are without skipper Gordon Drummond for the trip to Uddingston, who have David Bill back after illness.