This article appeared in the Scotsman on Saturday, July 22 2017
Arbroath and Heriot’s both make one change apiece for the big meeting between the two this afternoon as first plays third in the CSL Eastern Premiership.
For much of this summer it has looked like the title race was between Arbroath and Mazars Grange, but both of them have lost games lately and that has allowed Heriot’s to sneak back into things.
And the Goldenacre men head to Lochlands today looking to make it a three horse race.
For the clash Arbroath have the experienced Greig Peal coming back into the XI in place of Craig Cameron while Chris Acheson makes a first top team appearance in 2017 for Heriot’s.
He is in for Alex Knapman while the first meeting between the teams this term was rained off.
Second placed Grange should be too strong for bottom side Falkland at Portgower Place.
In midweek, Grange’s Dylan Budge hit 109 for a Scotland Development XI in a six wicket win over a touring Australian side at Fettes.
Falkland skipper Stuart Campbell has been delighted to see young gun Lyle Robertson play for Scotland under-15s of late and he and fellow teenagers Ewan Sloan and Grant Langlands are brought into the team for this one.
Glenrothes are in fourth and they are on the road to Aberdeenshire who will be on a high after their win at Arbroath seven days ago.
The visitors bowling attack will again be led by skipper Safyaan Sharif and Aaimir Shahzad, the latter currently the joint leading wicket taker in the league with 22.
Aberdeenshire have Tom Diamond away with the Scotland under-19s so Findlay Anderson comes in.
Tayside Forfarshire captain Umair Mohammed returns to the side as they host Watsonians.
With a crop of players missing, including two with the under-19s, Andrew Wallace, Jack Hogarth and debutante Craig McConnachie come in.
Watsonians have Brendan O’Connell and Tom Cullen returning to the side.
Olly Brown misses out due to under-19 duties.
Currently sitting sixth with six matches left retaining the title looks out of Carlton’s reach, but they have a big Cup final to prepare for on August 20.
With Angus Beattie away with the under-19s and Fraser Boyd unavailable, Kyle Macpherson and Parker Neame return for the home clash with SMRH.
The visitors could still do with some wins to make sure they will stay up and they retain young bowler Sam Tait after he impressed last week with 2-29.
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