THE Western Union reaches the halfway stage today with Clydesdale in pole position but with a clutch of clubs well placed to turn the second half of the campaign into a genuinely fascinating contest.

Dumfries are among the group giving chase and the 2012 champions play host to the leaders at Nunholm this afternoon in what looks like a potentially key fixture. Certainly Dumfries, the only side to have completed all eight of their scheduled fixtures, are acutely aware of its significance. Club spokesman Mark Irwin declared: "Tomorrow's game is important in the context of the season especially since we are the only team in the competition who have yet to have a game abandoned. "Our home grown talent has led the way for us this year - not having a professional to rely on every week puts us in a position where every member of the team needs to be counted and contribute. "Each week someone different has stood up and tomorrow we hope this attitude will take us over the line." While the team ethic has undoubtedly played its part for Dumfries, there have been consistent individual performers, no more so than Alan Davidson who, with 251 runs and thirteen wickets, is among the top all-rounders in the Union. Dumfries can count both the 2013 and 2014 champions, Uddingston and Ayr, among their victims this season though the three defeats they have suffered could yet prove costly. Irwin noted: "Our position on the table doesn't reflect our potential and we hope to show that this weekend." Dumfries expect to be at full strength while Clydesdale, in high spirits after having posted the highest team total of the season in last week's win over Renfrew, are boosted by the return of Scotland all-rounder Richie Berrington. The Titwood side may also benefit from the fact that their captain Majid Haq this week had his Cricket Scotland suspension lifted and is determined to deliver the sort of performances that could earn a return to the national side. Ayr and Kelburne, who clash at Cambusdoon, will have more than a passing interest in events at Nunholm since victory for the former could see their hopes of a successful title defence rekindled while Kelburne would go top of the table should they win and Clydesdale lose. In Lenart van Wyk, Ayr have the most prolific batsman in the country, the South African having taken his tally beyond the 1,000 mark in all competitions with a midweek century against Greenock in the West League Cup. Removing van Wyk cheaply will be an obvious priority for Kelburne who tomorrow visit Carlton in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup. "It is a crunch weekend in our season," said skipper Qasim Sheikh who is thrilled to welcome the former Scotland A spinner Zeeshan Bashir who has joined from Clydesdale. Paisley neighbours Ferguslie are also in action in both competitions, hosting West of Scotland today before travelling to Arbroath twenty-four hours later. The Meikleriggs side shows one change from the team that beat Drumpellier a week ago, Alistair Preston-Jones replacing Fraser Proud. Following defeat at Kelburne a week ago, East Kilbride will attempt to get their title bid back on track when they host Drumpellier while Renfrew seek an elusive first win at home to an Uddingston side who discovered their true form in beating Ayr last week. First Division title chasers Pollok face the biggest weekend of their season when they first attempt to end Stenhousemuir's 100% record at The Tryst and then host Eastern Premier outfit Forfarshire in the cup.