As midsummer and the halfway point of the Grades cricket season approaches, a number of the key title and relegation issues are already coming into focus.

At the top of Grade 1 Bon Accord continue to set the pace, and if they continue with their present form could well go through the season undefeated in the league, if not all competitions, a feat last achieved by their principal challengers, Cults, with much likely to depend on next week’s meeting between the two.  The league leaders should however prove too strong at the weekend for a St Ronald team who have yet to record a win this season and along with Gordonians are looking set for an early return to Grade 2; while Cults and Inverurie will fancy their chances against Ellon and Mannofield respectively.

Who comes up from Grade 2 is less clear with Grammar FPs and near neighbours Queens Cross currently occupying the two promotion spots, while Artisans and 2^nd Kiintore languish at the foot of the table.  Meanwhile Anchorians continue to set the pace in Grade 3, and next year’s Grade 2 could well see two Gordonians teams in the same league as the club’s second eleven looks for a second successive promotion.  2^nd Grammar FPs meantime could continue their form of oscillating between Grades 3 and 4 in successive seasons.

Sunday sees Ellon make another attempt to decide their Aberdeenshire Cup game against Mannofield, which means that their Reid Cup quarter-final against Academy moves back to the 28^th.  At the Allan Park meanwhile Cults take on Bon Accord in the quarter-final round of the Small Clubs Cup, with both clubs hoping to achieve bragging rights ahead of next weekend’s league showdown.