The Forecast: West host Helensburgh
The Forecast will be our series of weekend previews for the 2025 season. We hope to 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!
This weekend we enter the last month of the season with plenty to play for across our senior sides.
Saturday
West of Scotland XI vs Helensburgh
As league leaders, the West of Scotland XI go into this weekend’s game with Helensburgh as heavy favourites against a side who have wracked up just two league wins this season. Back in May the reverse fixture did not survive wet early season conditions, but the away side come into the game on the back of defeats at Kilmarnock and home to Glasgow Accies last weekend. They do boast all rounder Lance Trueman in their ranks, however, who has claimed 18 victims with the ball and 357 runs with the bat. West, meanwhile, have fared well recently, leapfrogging previous table toppers Renfrew by defeating them last weekend. Kick off at 12pm at Hamilton Crescent.
Hughenden vs Partick XI
Meanwhile, the Partick XI may the short trip across the west end to visit Hillhead’s 2s hoping to overcome the disappointment of their narrow defeat at home to Western Championship One leaders Whitehaugh last time out. Hughenden are struggling for form having won two of their ten completed matches so far, leaving them bottom of the table. The Hyndland side were defeated heavily at Langloan in their previous match but Harish Ravichandran took three wickets, and alongside top wicket taker this season Michael Forbes, is expected to be a dangerman for the hosts. Partick were bowled out for 112 in the game earlier this season but Hughenden were unable to complete their chase due to rain so skipper Johnny Williams will hope for an improvement with the bat from his side.
Hamilton Crescent XI v M8Driving Meikleriggs
Our third side host M8Driving Meikleriggs in Stirling hoping to salvage something from a poor run of form as we enter the final month of the season. The reverse fixture also fell victim to the weather earlier in the season so both sides will have no prior knowledge of their strengths going into the match. The visitors were defeated away at Torrance House last weekend - but did reach 200 in their chase so their batting efforts are not to be underestimated. Faris Aslam and vice captain Manish Kaushik return to the starting XI for Hamilton Crescent.
