AS the halfway stage in the season approaches there are as many as six teams who must believe they have a chance of winning the league.

Already half the teams in the division have experienced what it feels like to lead what is surely the closest title race since the inception of the Western Premier five years ago.

Dumfries have not yet enjoyed that status but today they have the chance to confirm themselves as contenders when they entertain second top Uddingston at Nunholm.

The home side are on a three-game winning run which has seen them topple champions Clydesdale as well as chasing 250 against Greenock in their last fixture.

That was two weeks ago, their clash at top-of-the-table Ferguslie having been rained off last week while Uddingston were strengthening their position with a hard-fought win over Kelburne..

Dumfries spokesman Andy Reed said: “The aim at the start of the season was to return to being a competitive team in the Premier Division, and the current winning streak is evidence that we are achieving that goal.

“This has been an interesting season so far with no team running away with the league and on their day any team in the division can get a win.

“We are a confident team at home where we have an amazing playing surface which always produces plenty of runs and excitement. We will back ourselves to knock off any target set, which was demonstrated against Greenock.

“Our strong batting line-up will have to contend with the spin options that Uddingston have at their disposal.

“This match will be a challenge but hopefully we can come out on top.”

Uddingston skipper Bryan Clarke said: “Dumfries is always a tough place to go and they have a team who always compete.

“It’s another week where just about every match is pretty well balanced and if every game goes ahead the league could open up even more.

“We’ve had some really good games against Dumfries over the years and I imagine this will be no different.”

Dumfries are at full strength while Uddingston’s veteran all-rounder Paul Hoffmann misses out through injury but Allan Laycock and Nick Martin return.

Elsewhere leaders Ferguslie will be wary of a Greenock side who have settled well into life in the top flight and who traditionally relish their trips to Paisley. The Glenpark men travel without Chris Hempsey and Phil McIntosh.

Clydesdale badly need a victory when they entertain Prestwick if the champions are to rekindle hopes of a successful title defence.

However, the Titwood side are again without Scotland duo Richie Berrington and Con de Lange and will have a youthful look while Prestwick have the chance to consolidate a top four berth if they can bounce back from their derby defeat to Ayr last time out.

Ayr themselves face a tricky trip to face an East Kilbride team who have been badly affected by the weather, completing just three of their scheduled seven fixtures.

Kelburne prop up the table but have the chance of a first win of the season when Poloc, with defeats in their last three games, visit Whitehaugh.

The visitors have rung the changes in a bid to recapture winning form, teenagers Lewis James and Ahmed-Raza Hanif coming in.

A Poloc spokesman said: “The last few weeks of poor weather have seen Poloc play in rain-affected matches, as well as suffer a number of cancellations.

“It is hoped that this weekend will see fair weather and an opportunity to play an uninterrupted match.

“The side are looking for the consistency that has eluded them all season.”