GREENOCK travel up the M8 tomorrow for an important league match against Poloc at Shawholm.

And although it is just the second weekend of the league programme, this game could well turn out to be a clash between two of the sides who will challenge for the top positions in the division.

In the opening league fixtures both Greenock and Poloc won comfortably and last season the two clubs just missed out on promotion.

So the outcome of this match could have a very important bearing on this season’s league placings.

Against Weirs last Saturday, Greenock turned in a solid team performance with both ball and bat.

Phil McIntosh, an experienced all rounder in the side, picked up four wickets at little cost and was well supported by Neil Flack and Aussie overseas amateur Declan White, who each had two wickets.

The fielding performance of the local side was perhaps al little patchy with a number of chances being missed, but early in the season, on a cool afternoon, this was perhaps understandable.

That said, there were also a couple of outstanding catches taken by Sam Sanghera and wicketkeeper Chris Hempsey, plus a fine run out.

Neil Flack showed some fine early season form with the sort of innings at the top of the order last which he will look to repeat at Poloc.

The Under-19 Scotland captain was solid and assured as he compiled an unbeaten 52 runs against Weirs and was supported by Chris Hempsey who was not out on 38, as Greenock easily overtook the Glasgow southsiders total of 137 all out.

Bolstering Greenock’s batting for the Poloc match will be the club’s newly-arrived second overseas amateur from Australia, 19-year-old Damon Rootes.

He is a left-hand opening batsman who comes highly recommended by former Glenpark professional Peter Clifford who was also Rootes coach on a recent Emu tour to New Zealand.

The match in Glasgow tomorrow against Poloc will be likely to be an altogether much more difficult fixture.

Poloc have numerous good players in their side with Craig Young just missing out on an opening weekend century against Renfrew by finishing his innings on 99 not out at the end of his team’s 50 overs.

Overseas players Snyman and Van de Walt both scored well for Poloc against Renfrew, with Snyman 72 and Van der Walt 60 not out.

Greenock’s team for the match at Poloc which will begin tomorrow at Shawholm at 1pm will be from: J Hempsey (capt), H Briggs, N Flack, C Hempsey, G McDougall, P McIntosh, C Pandher, S Prabhu, D Rootes, S Sanghera, L Ware, D White.

The Greenock 2nd XI play Poloc 2nd XI at Glenpark with the match starting at 1pm.

Greenock Cricket Club is proudly sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U