Following the persistent heavy rain of the past days, the Grades’ league season could well finish with a whimper rather than a bang, although key issues at the top and bottom of Grades 1 to 3 still have officially to be decided.

If rain washes out Cults’ final game of the season against Banchory, then they will automatically finish as champions for a further season without needing to bowl a ball.  Even if play is possible then provided they achieve at least 11 points they will be beyond the reach of Kintore, the date of whose game against Bon Accord is still to be finally resolved, following a joint application from the two teams to defer it to Sunday 31st, due to the football game scheduled at Pittodrie for Saturday.

Ex Portcullis Captain David Bowie and current player Alan Dobey have just returned from the Vintage Cricket Festival at Stratford on Avon.

The 6 day Festival included games of cricket featuring former test and county players (Joel Garner and Ricky Clarke of the West Indies,  Geoff Howarth NZ). Brian Hardie (ex Essex and Scotland) captained the Scottish team in which Alan & David played, however the majority were ordinary club cricketers intent on celebrating the summer game and English beer.

Many of the players took their long suffering cricket widows with them as there were organised trips and functions including two "free bar" receptions.