One of the closest Grade 1 title races for some years enters its second half at the weekend with just 22 points covering the top 4 clubs.

Aided by Kintore’s defeat of Bon Accord, Cults are once again back at the top of the table, and will fancy their chances against Mannofield in the first of the County Club’s home games to be played at Countesswells.  Second-placed Kintore meanwhile will hope that home advantage means that they will be able to put up a better performance against Stonehaven than when the two clubs met on the opening Saturday of the season; while Bon Accord should returning to winning form against 2^nd Cults.  At the foot, Caledonian will want to repeat their opening weekend win over Ellon; but not a lot has gone right for them since then, while 2^nd Cults’ win last weekend, and a recent run of form from Inverurie, has opened a 10 percentage point gap over the bottom-placed side.

Bon Accord became nine-times winners of the Press and Journal Trophy following the finals of this year’s Thistle Sports Sevens played in the Duthie Park on Thursday evening.

In the best weather of the tournament, the Bons were once again led to victory by Fazal Awan, who top scored with 60, and Nawaz Mirza who followed up his undefeated knock of 39 by taking two Mannofield wickets in the first over of their response, to again deservedly win the Man of the Match award.

In the earlier semi-final Mannofield dismissed Banchory within five overs, Suvra and Innes each chipping in with two wickets; and only Phil Potter making any impact with the bat