Lossiemouth looking good for league
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THE Macallan North League has now reached the halfway stage, when it splits into the the top and bottom six clubs.
For RAF Lossiemouth, a hugely successful first half has been completed with a 100% record. Considering they have rarely fielded their strongest side for various reasons; maybe, they have exceeded their own expectations.
The service side ought to be able to hold on to their lead in the remaining five fixtures; but, I wouldn’t rule out a strong challenge from Highland and Buckie; the latter being my original choice for the title.
A very disappointing effort from Fochabers, who continue to blow hot and cold. Have a good mixture of youth and experience which fails to gel as one would expect.
On the other side of the coin, Forres St Lawrence have come on by leaps and bounds, and they are the one team which could present problems for the top three. They are into the semi-finals of the Macallan League Cup, which they should win against Keith with home advantage.
I like to witness any club, which has been somewhat in the doldrums, show major signs of improvement, and the Saints are proving to be a good example.
Nairn County perhaps fortuitiously are in the top half dozen thanks to a miscalculation by the Ross County team on how many points they required. According to their captain, they required three points against RAF Lossie but in fact it turned out to be nine.
Unable to raise more than six players for last week’s game against Keith and having to concede, that let Nairn County slip into the top half by the narrowest of margins. Nevertheless, Ross County do appear to be the stronger side and can gain some reward in the form of the Consolation Plate.
As for Elgin, what can I say? Tipped for a top four place, but their performances have been hugely disappointing to say the least.
Since the resignation of Kevin Fraser as captain, albeit the results were none too favourable under his leadership, they haven’t won a game in their last six attempts.
Yes, there has been the unavailability of players due to work commitments or holidays, plus injuries; however, one cannot keep offering excuses for defeats, because the same problems affect other clubs. During this recent, barren period, Rick Wimble has been the most consistent batsman, while 18-year-old Andy Hastie has started to show what he can do with both bat and ball. That leaves other regulars to try and chip in on a more frequent basis.
Keith continue to struggle to find sufficient bodies on a weekly basis, while Huntly are undergoing a transition stage. As for Northern Counties, some of their results of late have been nothing other than abysmal; all out for 11 followed by 23 last Saturday about sums up a club heading in the wrong direction. I do feel sorry for Fort William, since they give of their all in every game, and to no avail.
It should boil down to Ross County and Elgin for the Consolation Plate, with neither inspiring any confidence to merit my choice.
TOMORROW, sees the group stages of the senior Twenty20 competition, which will be followed on Sunday by the semi-finals and final.
The most intriguing group appears to be that comprising Forres St Lawrence, Ross County and Fochabers. The in-form team is Forres and since the ties will be played at the Grant Park, it could mean they will progress to the next stage the following day.
RAF Lossiemouth appear to be odds-on favourites to overcome Keith and Huntly, while the Highland versus Buckie game will decide their group, in which the other competing side is Fort William.
Difficult to predict the winner between Nairn County, Elgin and Northern Counties, because none of these three are setting the heather on fire at present.
Which four will be battling it out on Sunday? I shall opt for Forres St Lawrence, RAF Lossiemouth, Highland and Nairn County.
