The Forecast: Mid-table battle as West welcome Stenhousemuir
The Forecast is series of weekend previews for the 2026 season. We cover team selection, form, fixtures and who to look out for in the weekend’s fixtures! We hope to not have to cover the rain!
Saturday
Allied Vehicles West of Scotland vs LOC Hire Stenhousemuir
A closely contested mid table clash awaits at Hamilton Crescent this weekend as fourth placed West host fifth placed Stenhousemuir in Premiership One. With both sides separated by only a handful of points and rain forecast across much of the west of Scotland, the teams will be hoping not only for victory but also for the weather to allow a full day’s play. The visitors arrive in good form after an impressive win over GHK on matchday five, dismissing the Glasgow side for 146 before comfortably chasing down the target with five wickets to spare. Nicholas Lister and Tippu Sultan both claimed three wickets in that victory, while former West bowler Kess Sajjid also impressed with figures of 2 for 37 and will no doubt be keen to make an impact against his old club. West, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Ferguslie and close the gap on the teams above them in the table. First ball is scheduled for 12pm, although spectators may wish to pack a brolly.
Stirling County 2nd XI v Partick XI
In Championship Division One, the Partick XI travel to Stirling this weekend looking to halt a run of two consecutive defeats and reignite their season. Despite recent setbacks, Chris Ross’s side remain well placed in the table and will be keen to return to the form that saw them open the season with three straight victories. Their opponents sit sixth in the standings and come into the match on the back of a DLS win over GHK Strathclyde last Saturday. Before the weather intervened, Stirling had put themselves in a commanding position, posting an impressive 259 for 5 from 43 overs, with two middle order batters reaching half centuries. Rajkoti Pothineni and Deon du Preez both claimed two wickets as GHK reached 106 for 5 from 30 overs before rain brought proceedings to an early conclusion. With both sides eager to build momentum heading into the middle of the season, an entertaining contest could be in store.
Woodhall East Kilbride vs Hamilton Crescent XI
The Hamilton Crescent XI travel to South Lanarkshire this weekend looking to build on a run of encouraging form that has seen them win two of their last three matches and push league leaders Nunholm all the way on matchday four. Moosa Vakil’s side produced an excellent batting performance to overcome local rivals Hillhead 2nd XI in Stirling last weekend and will be eager to carry that momentum into another important fixture. Their opponents come into the match on the back of a defeat in Dumfries. The hosts posted an imposing 234 for 5 from their 40 overs before dismissing Woodhall for 199, but Ihtisham Chaudhry starred with a fluent 58 from just 41 balls. His aggressive batting could prove a significant threat as West’s 3rd XI look to continue their climb up the table.
Sunday
East Kilbride Women vs Women’s XI
Our Women’s XI travel to East Kilbride this weekend looking to carry the momentum from last weekend’s impressive T20 Scottish Cup victory over RH Corstorphine into league action. Abbey Gore’s side have enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign and currently sit second in the table, having won three of their opening four league fixtures. Their hosts have played only twice so far, winning one and losing one, but will provide stern opposition on home turf. Having received a bye in the opening round of the cup last weekend, East Kilbride have not played since their narrow 14 run victory over Stewart’s Melville Women at Torrance House a fortnight ago. With both sides harbouring ambitions of climbing the table, another competitive encounter is expected.
Women’s 2XI vs Westquarter & Redding Women
There is more T20 action at Hamilton Crescent on Sunday as West Women’s 2nd XI take on Westquarter & Redding Women in the Women’s Challenger League West. West made the perfect start to the competition with victory over Stenhousemuir in the opening match of the three team round robin and will be looking to build further momentum as they continue their bid for a place at the top of the group.
