PRESTWICK can today move closer to clinching a first-ever Western Premier crown if they can complete the double over Poloc at the Henry Thow Oval.

The Ayrshire side prevailed in a rain-affected encounter at Shawholm in May and the weather has subsequently had an increasingly influential role in what was shaping up to be the most exciting title race in years.

It may yet be but only one fixture has been completed in the last fortnight and every blank Saturday represents a missed opportunity for those sides – as many as five – who still have hopes of overhauling Prestwick.

Both teams are simply hoping for the chance to play this afternoon and Andy Tennant, Prestwick’s coaching consultant, has called on his players to retain their focus going into the closing weeks of the season.

He said: “Rain is a factor most seasons and, while it’s frustrating, I think we are all used to it. The players have to be ready to continue the good work they’ve done up until now.

“They have found a way of winning and have remained positive but there is still a long way to go and we have to focus on each game.”

Poloc official Keith Young detailed his side’s weather woes by revealing: “In the league, only three of the last seven games – stretching back to the 10th of June – have been completed.

“We’d just love to see a game played to its conclusion.”

A Poloc win would open the door to a handful of title aspirants but the visitors must again do without skipper Craig Young who will miss the remainder of the season with a torn cartilage.

Owais Shah and Ihtisham Malik – on Scotland U19 duty - are also absent for the Glasgow side along with Muhamad Azeem and Akram Shakoor though Lewis James returns.

Young added: “Our recent form is reasonable but Prestwick have maintained a consistency of performance that has eluded others. They are a hard side to beat as the league table reflects.”

Elsewhere it looks like a must-win clash for Clydesdale and Uddingston who meet at Titwood in a game which brings together several of last weekend’s triumphant Western Warriors side.

The Warriors opened their T20 Blitz campaign with emphatic wins over the Eastern Knights and Caley Highlanders, games in which Dale’s Mo Awais and Richie Berrington and Uddingston’s Adil Raza and Ross Lyons were significant performers.

They will be rivals today and the battle between Berrington and Lyons – two of the outstanding all-rounders in the country – could be pivotal.

Jamey Carruthers, the captain of second top Ferguslie, will tell his players to concentrate on securing victory at East Kilbride but events at Prestwick will surely be of more than passing interest.

The Paisley men are without their leading wicket-taker Haroon Tahir who is with Scotland’s U19s.

Ayr, poised in third place, can maintain the pressure on their Ayrshire neighbours if they can beat Greenock at Cambusdoon in a match featuring the league’s most prolific opening batsmen – Ayr’s Michael Papps and Neil Smith – and the division’s most potent new ball pair – Greenock’s Aussie duo Kyle Scrimegour and Julien Hulbert.

Kelburne, having broken their duck last week, hope to step up their survival bid when they entertain Dumfries at Whitehaugh.