The latest heat wave to hit Aberdeen brought forth a spate of draws in the lower grades on a day which saw Inverurie inflict a surprise defeat on local rivals Kintore at the Castle Park, and Bon Accord make up ground following another century from the prolific bat of Fazal Awan.

His was one of three undefeated centuries to be recorded in Grade 1 with Tim Donald and Wajahat Ali putting Caledonian’s attack to the sword at Burnett Park, while Cults skipper Amol Saxena turned in another fine all round performance in his side’s defeat of Ellon to remain on course for retaining their league title.  Elsewhere Mannofield beat 2nd Cults to enhance their chances of again surviving in the top flight along with Inverurie at the expense of the Allan Park’s Second Eleven.

In Grade 2 St Ronald played out a draw with 2nd placed Grammar, allowing Gordonians to make up ground following their thrashing of a Kemnay side, now surely destined for the drop to Grade 3.  Academy however gained useful points defeating Crathie, while Artisans just held out to draw against Methlick, leaving Fraserburgh the main losers of the day following their defeat by Queens Cross.

In Grade 3 Turriff had no sooner reached the top of the league than they went down to their second defeat in a week at the hands of 2nd Ellon, while 2nd Kintore again dropped points away to Dunecht, allowing 2nd Banchory to resurrect their title hopes in a high-scoring victory over Crescent, with Ian Pennington finishing undefeated on 99.  At the foot 2nd Methlick and 2nd Grammar drew, a result which is unlikely to bring much relief to either side; but which saw Stuart Kennedy record the day’s highest score – 146 not out – for the Lairds-based club.

In Grade 4 2nd Stonehaven also remain on course for the title, with only two rounds of league fixtures remaining, despite being held to a draw by Huntly Highlanders, for whom Norman Rough top-scored with 42, while scratchings by Dunecht and St Ronald allowed Portcullis and Mannofield to play their outstanding fixture from the start of the season, Andrew Lewis scoring the day’s fifth undefeated century, as the visitors went down to a nine-wicket defeat at Countesswells.

The Grades Select Three Counties Cup Final on Tuesday is at Arbroath; and not, as erroneously reported on Friday, at Forfar, with a 6.30pm start.