Grades preview 23/24 August

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.

At the foot of Grade 1 meanwhile 2nd Cults and Caledonian are destined for an early return to Grade 2, to be replaced by St Ronald and in all likelihood Gordonians, whose victory over Grammar FPs last Sunday has pushed the Rubislaw side into third place.  At the foot Kemnay and Academy meantime occupy the two relegation spots.

In Grade 3, outstanding games which have yet to be re-arranged make it unlikely that either the title or the second relegation spot will be determined, while in Grade 4 2nd Stonehaven have already completed the double and will be promoted along with 2nd Gordonians.

Sunday, weather permitting, will see the final of the Aberdeenshire Cup at Mannofield, with Small Clubs Cup holders Bon Accord, having already disposed of Cults and Kintore in the previous rounds, starting strong favourites against Ellon Gordon.