Fixtures for 3rd /4th May 2008

Following their defeat of Ellon last week, Grade 1 newcomers Caledonian face a stiffer test as they take on current title-holders Cults at the Duthie Park in the second round of games in the Thistle Sports Grades on Saturday.  Ellon meanwhile travel to face 2^nd Cults at the Allan Park.  On last week’s form Bon Accord will be expected to prove too strong for Inverurie at Kellands, while Mannofield will look for a recovery of form at home to Stonehaven.  Banchory and Kintore appear closely matched in the day’s remaining Grade 1 tie.

In Grade 2, of the opening week’s winners Grammar FPs take on Academy at Rubislaw; while St Ronald face the journey to Fraserburgh.  Kemnay will hope for an improved performance away to Artisans, as will Crathie away to Methlick.

In Grade 3 Stoneywood-Dyce should make it two wins out of two at home to 2^nd Grammar, while Anchorians have a home tie against 2^nd Banchory.

Wet weather delaying the installation of the pitch at Huntly means that Portcullis will again be without a game in Grade 4; while 2^nd Stonehaven take on 2^nd Gordonians, and 2^nd Mannofield open their programme against 2^nd Queens Cross.

Sunday should see the final of the Malik Twenty20 cup between the Grade Select and Aberdeenshire at Mannofield, with a 1pm start.

Handbooks for the 2008 season are now ready and will begin to be distributed over the weekend.

THISTLE SPORTS GRADES

SATURDAY

GRADE 1

Banchory v Kintore MTM, Caledonian v Cults Mo&Co (DP1), 2^nd Cults v Ellon Gordon, Inverurie v Culter Curry Bon Accord, AAM Mannofield v Stonehaven Thistle (Links 4).

GRADE 2

AGSFPs v Academy Toco Sport, Artisans v Kemnay (DP2), Fraserburgh v Dominion Gas St Ronald, Methlick v Crathie, Queens Cross v Up Front Gordonians.

GRADE 3

Anchorians v 2^nd Banchory (DP3), 2^nd Ellon v 2^nd Methlick, 2^nd Kintore v Crescent, Stoneywood-Dyce v 2^nd AGSFPs (Shed 1),Turriff v Dunecht.

GRADE 4

2^nd Dunecht v 2^nd St Ronald, Huntly Highlanders v Portcullis – postponed, 2^nd Mannofield v 2^nd Queens Cross (Shed 2), 2^nd Stonehaven v 2^nd Gordonians.

SUNDAY

MALIK TWENTY20 CUP FINAL 2007

Aberdeenshire v Grades Select (Mannofield, 1pm)