Greenock on the verge of promotion

Greenock welcome St Michael's from Dumfries to Glenpark on Saturday for their last home league match of the season. With twenty five points for a win, the local side could pretty much seal their return to the Premier Division if they can overcome their south of Scotland opponents.

Last Saturday's win at Hamilton Crescent against nearest rivals West of Scotland was crucial in the promotion race. In a reduced overs match, due to a delay in getting started as a result of the ground being affected by the torrential rain in the days preceding the match, Greenock were set a target of 103 runs in 32 overs.

After a shaky start, a fine unbeaten partnership of 89 runs from Neil Flack and Chris Hempsey took the team to a very convincing win.

Now, a win against St Michael's, plus just one point from a possible twenty five against bottom side Hillhead on the last Saturday of the league season, will secure one of the league's two promotion places.

WDCU CSL First Division Table - (at 13th August)

Earlier in the season when Greenock made the journey south to play St Michael's, the Dumfries side had been the early form side with wins in all four of their opening league matches. On the day, Greenock swept them aside and won by eight wickets.

Batting first St Michael's were dismissed for just 75 in under 30 overs with Neil Flack the destroyer-in-chief taking 8 wickets for only 22 runs. In reply, Greenock took just 13 overs to pass their lowly total.

Since then, the Dumfries side's form has been patchy and just three more matches have been won and none has been against any of the top four in the league.

Greenock must guard against complacency however, and ensure that their performance remains at the high standard which has been set throughout the season.

St Michael's have a number of players who have the potential to give Greenock problems. Team captain Tom Holmes has had a decent season and has scored well in a number of games including a top score of 89 against Stirling County. Kyle Jordan and Chris Brockwell are two others who have managed to score a fifty during the season.

However, in the matches since Greenock put them to sword in June, St Michael's have been bowled out for less than 120 on four occasions and only once scored above 140 which came against bottom club Hillhead.

The Dumfries side's bowling attack is not the most potent in the league, but danger could still come from Chris Brockwell, Anthony Hulatt, Kyle Jordan and Tom Holmes, each of whom has had a significant haul of wickets in at least one match during the summer.

But Greenock should be too good for St Michael's, as they have a strength in depth within the side and a confidence in their ability to win matches, which has been shown throughout much of the season. Key matches against strong opponents, such as West of Scotland last Saturday and Stirling County in July, have been won due to fine team performances and a will to win.

The Glenpark side does not rely on just one or two individuals within the team to perform in order to win matches. The success so far this season has resulted from all players contributing to the team's results.

Neil Flack, Phil McIntosh, Damon Rootes, Chris Hempsey, Shailesh Prabhu, Louis Ware and Sehmat Pandher have formed a very strong top/middle order batting line-up with Flack and Rootes both having scored centuries during the season.

And Greenock's bowling attack is one of the strongest in the division with Declan White, Jonathan Hempsey, Neil Flack, Greg McDougall, Phil McIntosh, Louis Ware and Damon Rootes providing options from searing pace to slow spin which has had opponents in difficulty in most matches.

On Saturday, Sehmat Pandher is unavailable but Phil McIntosh returns to the side after several weeks out due to injury, and his inclusion will only boost the Glenpark team's hopes as they seek to gain the win against St Michael's which should nail down their promotion place.

Meanwhile, league leaders Poloc travel to play fourth placed Stirling County in the knowledge that any slip up could hand the league title to Greenock. So, another interesting and exciting Saturday of cricket lies ahead with the outcome of the top league placings still in the balance. Let's hope that the weather plays ball and allows the games to be played to a conclusion.

Saturday's match, which starts at 12 noon, should be an exciting game and the Greenock side will surely make sure that they keep their form and capture the winning points to make promotion all but mathematically assured.

Saturday's match at Glenpark is very kindly sponsored by British Polythene Industries PLC

The Glenpark XI make the long journey south on Saturday to take on Kingholm in the Reserve League in a match that starts at 12 noon. The Glenpark team will probably not be at full strength but at least this gives the younger players in the team the chance to show their skills.

The Hillend XI play Inverclyde at Glenpark in Sunday for the Bell Cup. The match starts at 1pm and will be a 40 overs per side contest.

Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored this season by Cleaning Supplies 4U.