GRADES SAT/SUN 31st MAY & 1st JUNE 2008
This weekend could be a case of the irresistible force meeting the moveable object as Cults and Bon Accord clash at the Allan Park, ahead of their meeting in the Small Clubs cup a week on Sunday.
Both clubs have identical records so far this season, having won their first four games, before both dropping the same number of points to Ellon and Stonehaven respectively last weekend to leave Stonehaven meantime top of the table.
As always, a close game can be expected; but with home advantage and possibly the stronger bowling attack Cults will start marginal favourites, particularly if they can dismiss the hard-hitting Fazal Awan early on.
Should the game end as a draw then Kintore at home to 2nd Cults can be expected to make up ground, while Stonehaven will be fancied to hold on to top spot against bottom-placed Inverurie. The game between Mannofield and Caledonian could also prove vital, in determining who finishes in the dreaded ninth spot come the end of the season.
In Grade 2 St Ronald, with an unblemished record, have opened up a 16 percentage point gap over Grammar FPs, with an improving Gordonians side moving up on the rails, and fancied to beat Academy at Duthie Park; while Artisans and Kemnay continue to struggle at the foot of the table.
In Grade 3 the two top sides 2nd Kintore and 2nd Banchory clash at Burnett Park, while at the foot Anchorians will be looking for an upturn in form against 2nd Ellon.
In Grade 4, where teams will be engaged this week in the first round of the Johnston Cup, 2nd Stonehaven have emulated their seniors by moving to the top of the table, while two wins for Portcullis, after two weeks of forced inactivity in the first fortnight of the season and strengthened by the transfer of Rahul from Cults, will also be entertaining hopes of regaining their Grade 3 status come the season’s end; and travel to meet Huntly Highlanders in the first game following the laying of their new pitch.
Following Mannofield’s concession the Grade Select will now be at home to Huntly in the next round of the Three Counties Cup
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