Rangers and Cuts look to put troubles behind them
Southampton Rangers batsman Rohaan Simons is adamant that today’s Western Counties clash is just another game amid the turmoil within his club and champions Willow Cuts.Rangers were dealt a telling blow to their Premier Division title ambitions when both Dion Stovell and Janeiro Tucker were handed short bans for their involvement in a dispute with an umpire in a match against Bailey’s Bay last month.Their opponents today haven’t fared much better in recent weeks.Cuts’ issues stem from Somerset Bridge Recreation Club (SBRC) believing one of their players, Ricardo Brangman jr, was ineligible to play under Counties rules.Bridge, however, withdrew their protest against the cup holders after it was determined that one of their own players, Cofield Robinson, was also ineligible.With both clubs hoping to put their woes behind them, Simons isn’t buying into the psychological aspect of his club’s opponents and their issues, but rather getting his side ready to take to the field.“We do have a few people out and a few off the Island but we still have players within the organisation that can pick up where others have left off and try to get the win,” said Simons.“We aren’t really worrying about playing them right now, we have to worry about playing our game and letting the rest of the scenarios play out, but for the most part it comes down to who wants it on the day and we are looking to win the game.“The team we will put out won’t be our best but we showed last week (against Devonshire Rec) that although we were missing a few players we can still get the job done.“If we can put in the same effort as last week then we should be fine.”The clubs have had close encounters in seasons past, including their latest game in the KO Cup when former Rangers and current Cuts player Malachi Jones claimed three wickets and struck an unbeaten century to inspire Cuts to a three-wicket win.Elsewhere in cricket on the weekend, the KO Cup semi finals will take place tomorrow at western and central venues.Warwick and Cut will battle at St John’s Field, while Bailey’s Bay will make the trek to Somerset Cricket Club to battle Somerset.Today will also see Eastern Junior Counties action when St David’s welcome heated rivals Bay to Lords.All senior matches are set to begin at 11am, while Junior Counties starts at 12pm.