Conference A

NOT since the first day of the season have Dunfermline played away from home and today they entertain a very ambitious Kelburne side who have started their campaign pretty convincingly.

The Fifers are unique in having lost every one of their Conference A matches and if they are to make anything of their season at all, then they must simply collect points today.

Kelburne, however, have the bit between their teeth and are shooting for the stars.

They occupy third place in the table and have no intention of letting go. They have drafted into their side a modicum of junior players who distinguished themselves last year under the skillful tutelage of Rod McLellan, and despite defeat at the hands of Watsonians last week, they venture east full of confidence.

The Myreside men are on what has now been established as difficult territory at Anniesland after GHK's battling draw against kingpins Grange. The sprinkling of antipodean players in the Watsonian ranks has furnished them with bite, although Aussie pro Owen Gilchrist has yet to find top form. That may well be necessary today to secure the verdict.

qLeaders Heriot's have a home fixture against Hillhead who pulled off a remarkable victory at McKane Park when they dismissed the last Dunfermline batsman when only two runs were required for victory.

Heriot's pro Shahid Aslam is so much on top of his game and with Asim Butt in support as opening attacker, it is difficult to see the visitors unearthing the reserves sufficient to create an upset.

qStenhousemuir skipper Douglas Zuill dug in to the tune of 48 to ensure that Forfarshire returned home empty-handed.

They are at Grange this afternoon where rather more from Zuill's colleagues is likely to be required if the home side are to be denied again.

Grange's problem is how to bowl out the opposition. Andrew Dykes, their Tasmanian professional, was virtually impossible to hit for runs against GHK and ran through his 13 overs for next to nothing, but failed to get people out.

Ian Beven can do that, but he needs support at the other end for his torment to succeed. Zuill, no doubt, will have noted this and laid his plans accordingly.

qWest Lothian travel to Forthill where Forfarshire typically blow hot and cold.

Matches between these two are impossible to forecast simply because neither play as well as they can do, although one would put one's money today on Sanjay Patel and his men from Linlithgow.

There is a scent of serious ambition around Boghall and when the equation shakes down at the end of the season, it is Sanjay's ambition to be up there in the top echelon.

Nothing less will do.