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With six games remaining, the battle for the first Scottish National Cricket League Premiership title is hotting up. Aberdeenshire are still in pole position, despite their first league defeat last Saturday, but West of Scotland have narrowed the gap after last week's emphatic victory over the leaders while Ayr are still in the hunt.

Carlton's fading title aspirations could suffer a further set-back tomorrow when they take on the leaders at Mannofield. Kevin Thomson's absence through injury has reduced the potency of Neil MacRae's attack which looked under-resourced and unbalanced last week.

Jason Arnberger and MacRae himself have tried to fill the gap but not convincingly and too much therefore depends upon the impressive David Cox. Arnberger has also suffered successive failures with the bat, a wrong he will doubtless be at pains to right tomorrow.

West of Scotland are running into form at the right time. Corey Richards, with more than 600 runs under his belt, forms a daunting opening partnership with Dougie Lockhart, who scored an impressive 90 a week ago for Derbyshire's second XI, while Craig Wright is in good form with the ball with 22 wickets at eight apiece.

West will be at full strength against Heriot's with captain Mark Townson recovered from a muscle strain, Stephen Gilmour back from his efforts for Scotland's under-19s and Alan Williamson returning to duty behind the wickets.

Heriot's have had an indifferent season, especially with the bat, but Jim Love returns to strengthen that department.