Cricket Scotland League

The traditional Clyde coast rivals meet as the Western Premier Division aims to beat the weather and get into full swing today after a curtailed programme a week ago. It will, though, be played out in different circumstances to many of their encounters over the years when the pair were challenging for Western Union, Scottish National League or Scottish Cup honours.

This time, both are in the process of rebuilding and, if their opening-day results are anything to go by, survival may be as much as either can hope for this season. While Ayr were losing by eight wickets to McCrea FS West of Scotland at Cambusdoon, Greenock also suffered a heavy loss at home to top-flight newcomers Dumfries.

Scott McElnea, Ayr's Scotland Under-19 bowler, said: "Last week wasn't the way we wanted to start and the lads are desperate to bounce back from that. We know Greenock are in a similar position to ourselves and we expect a tough match. It was a good pitch for the game against West last week and, hopefully, we can learn the lessons and get our first win on the board. We are a young team and are looking to improve every time we play."

There is, therefore, a lot at stake at Ayr's picturesque Alloway ground, though there is little sense of impending doom in either camp. The Alloway outfit will have to go into action without the services of their professional Craig Thyssen, who has yet to arrive from South Africa.

Ayr are also without an overseas amateur this season in contrast to Greenock who will not only have professional Mpho Sekhoto in their ranks but also his fellow South African Craig Schlebusch, who has returned to Scotland following a flying visit home which caused him to miss last week's game. Neil Flack, an Under-15 player, makes his debut, while Chris Hempsey is also drafted into the side as the visitors bid to bolster their batting.

Dumfries v Clydesdale

Dumfries go into their first home match of the season as league leaders against Clydesdale, one of the pre-season favourites. The new boys are quick to play down their lofty status, though, their spokesman Hugh Farries saying: "We won't be getting carried away after one game but we were obviously pleased with last week's result. I think we expect a tougher game against Clydesdale who would certainly start favourites."

Clydesdale are playing catch-up after their opening game against Stirling County was washed out and club chairman Colin Mitchell said: "We will go down there with a healthy dose of respect. It's a trip into the unknown for us in terms of opposition and venue as I can't remember a competitive game against Dumfries."

The hosts go with the same XI as beat Greenock, while Clydesdale are without their Saltires fast bowler Safy Sharif, along with Greig Williamson, Kasim Farid and Lyle Hill.

McCrea FS West v Uddingston

West of Scotland are looking to build on last week's fine win at Ayr when they entertain an Uddingston side whose scheduled match with Drumpellier was a victim of the rain. Both sides expect to be at full strength.

Drumpellier v Stirling County

The final fixture features two sides making a belated start to the campaign following wash-outs on day one.

EASTERN PREMIER DIVISION

Forfarshire v Aberdeenshire

Neil MacRae has tormented Forfarshire on a regular basis over the past couple of decades and Aman Bailwal expects him to prove a major obstacle again when the Broughty Ferry side take on Aberdeenshire at Forthill today.

Bailwal, the home all-rounder, is desperate for the elements to relent and allow Forfarshire to get their campaign up and running but he knows they will have to be at their best to compete with the Mannofield men who made a flying start by beating Arbroath last weekend. "More than anything, we just want to play some cricket," he said. "Aberdeenshire have had some action so we will be under some pressure. As ever, MacRae will be the batsmen we will want to get rid of early and, in the bowling department, Chris West could be a handful."

Carlton v Arbroath

Arbroath face another tough task when they take on Carlton at Grange Loan and they will be without Benny McGill, who in Wembley-bound to support West Ham United. His captain Fraser Burnett explained: "Benny is a keen West Ham fan and, when they qualified for the play-offs, he was determined to make the trip to Wembley." Arbroath hope to have Ross McLean back in the fray following his ankle problems.

Grange v Watsonians

Ryan Flannigan, the Saltires man who is a Hibernian supporter, has resisted the temptation to put football first and will turn out for Grange against his former club Watsonians at Raeburn Place. Joe Barrett, a Grange spokesman, believes, though, that Flannigan has a good chance of watching his heroes in the Scottish Cup final. "It has been raining pretty hard here and the match must be in considerable doubt."

Stoneywood-Dyce v Heriot's

Heriot's will be clear favourites to take the points at Peoples Park.