THEY were promoted together from Division One but Greenock and Poloc, who meet at Glenpark today, have had contrasting starts to life in the top flight.

While Greenock, who came up as champions, are yet to savour their first victory, the Shawholm men are riding high after winning their first two fixtures.

The signs would therefore point to an away win but there is no lack of belief in the Glenpark ranks. This, after all, is a club who dominated the domestic game a decade ago and who are ready to play with the big boys again even if Premier League survival is the extent of current ambitions.

Club spokesman Peter Hemspey said: “It should be a good game and if we play to our potential then a win is quite possible. Obviously, with two defeats from the opening matches we are keen to get a first win.

“We had a good win against GHK in the WDCU 40 Cup last Sunday and that has boosted confidence.

“Poloc have added to their squad from last season and have had a great start but we will concentrate on ourselves and try to play sufficiently good cricket to gain enough points to remain playing in the Premier Division.

“That is a realistic aim.”

Greenock’s only new faces from last term are the Aussie duo Kyle Scrimegour and Julien Hulbert who will be key figures today and throughout the campaign.

The home side have injury doubts over Phil McIntosh and skipper Jonathan Hempsey.

Despite their encouraging start, which included a midweek McCulloch Cup win over Clydesdale, Poloc will take nothing for granted.

Spokesman Keith Young said: “In addition to the two Australians, Greenock have two youth internationalists in Neil Flack and Louis Ware so they are a team with plenty of talent.”

Elsewhere, Ferguslie skipper Jamey Carruthers has called on his team to build on last week’s win at Ayr when they entertain unbeaten Prestwick at Meikleriggs.

The Paisley side were among the title challengers last season and Carruthers believes there is more to come from his men.

He said: “Plenty of improvements can be made on last week’s performance but I am confident we can win this one – especially with home advantage.”

Ferguslie are still without the injured Greg Cameron but boast the country’s in-form batsman in Michael English who scored two centuries in twenty-four hours last weekend and is knocking on the door of Scotland selection.

Carruthers added: “Michael has had a great start to the season and I am sure he is in Scotland's plans and will get his chance soon. All he can do is keep scoring match-winning runs.”

Prestwick have demonstrated their mettle with tight wins over Kelburne and Dumfries and skipper Shazad Rafiq knows they are likely to need all their resilience at Meikleriggs.

Elsewhere champions and early pace-setters Clydesdale head south to face a Dumfries side who are determined to claim their first win of the campaign.

It is a similar story for Kelburne who make their first home appearance of the campaign against an East Kilbride team for whom Moneeb Iqbal is the form batsman after a match-winning 84no against Greenock.

Uddingston and Ayr, both recent winners of the title and with designs on challenging Clydesdale, clash at Bothwell Castle Policies.