Aberdeenshire have hit the top of the Eastern Premier Division – now they plan on staying there.
With Arbroath United losing at Grange last weekend, Shire leapfrogged the champions courtesy of their eight-wicket win against Carlton.
A disappointing defeat by Ferguslie on Sunday ended Shire’s interest in the Scottish Cup but captain Tyler Buchan is happy to be focusing solely on winning the title.
He said: “We’ve struggled all year to reach the top of the table and now we’re there we don’t want to give it up.
“The margin is slim and we are only a couple of points clear of Arbroath but we know our destiny is in our own hands now and that’s all we can ask for as we reach the business part of the season.
“We were solid on Saturday against a strong Carlton team before coming undone on a slow turning wicket in the Scottish Cup.
“We couldn’t build a partnership at all in the cup tie but it happens and we’d rather it did in a cup game than in the league which has been our main aim all season.”
Shire will hand a debut to allrounder Gary Halcrow, formerly of Stenhousemuir, in tomorrow’s game at Heriot’s.
Adrian Neill faced a late fitness test on a side strain while Rahul Chandu is unavailable.
Buchan said: “Heriot’s beat us by four runs at Mannofield in our first home game of the season and we don’t have a good record at their place.
“They are in mid-table but are a better side than the league placing suggests.
“The league has been really competitive this season and there is very little between the top eight teams. We’re going to have to play well if we are to win the game.”