This weekend saw the Grades games halfway through the season. The top side in Grade 1 Bon Accord retaining their 100% winning record with a comfortable win over St Ronald with S. Hussain (5-33) inflicting most of the damage. The surprise of the day was Cults loosing their first game of the season with Ellon setting a total (228-8) that Cults were unable to chase down with pick of the batting and bowling for Ellon from S. Whyte (53 and 3-18) and S. Davis (80). Despite the efforts of skipper B. Thomson (5-32) and C. Aggrawal (4-28) Gordonians woes continued as they were bowled out by Banchory led by the batting from S. Hassan (73) and bowling from M. Herbert (5-30). Over at Castle road Kintore easily overtook the Stonehaven visitor’s low total (90) restricted by the bowling efforts of legend D. Anderson (4-17). Down at the beach Inverurie were comfortably beaten by Mannofield with pick of the bowling for Inverurie from G. Hadden (4-22) and for Mannofield R. v Oorschot (6-22).

In Grade 2 2^nd Banchory’s youngsters Z. Crawley (30no), S. Hicks (22) and bowling from C. Dickinson (4-20) along with the more experienced bowling of T. Wilkinson (5-38) restricted the Fraserburgh total to 125, which they comfortably overtook. In town AGSFP’s bowling attack led by J. Miller (5-19) helped secure their pole position in grade 2 at the expense of 2^nd Cults who were bowled out for 80. Over at Duthie Park the home side Caledonian set a total (174) that proved too much for the out-of-town visitors 2^nd Methlick who could only manage 83. Over at Harlow 2^nd Kintore’s fate seems to be sealed with an early plunge back to Grade 3 as they were skittled out for 19 by Queens Cross led with the bowling attack of Gavin Jamieson (4-8) and Robin Taylor (4-10). Meanwhile down at Balmoral Castle, Crathie’s total (180) proved too much for the Duthie Park visitors despite the efforts of R. Munro (55) for Artisans as they were bowled out for 127, with pick of the batting and bowling for Crathie from R. McEwan (50) and R. McAra (5-21).

In Grade 3 Anchorians and 2^nd Gordonians continue to occupy the top two positions respectively as both teams comfortably beat 2^nd Methlick and Dunecht, their respective oppositions, with pick of the batting and bowling for Anchorians from M. Lambly (86) and skipper C Forbes (7-24) and for 2^nd Gordonians the bowling from A. Nalam (4-17) and P Kolluguri (4-18). Over at Duthie Park and despite the batting and bowling efforts of the youngsters J. Thom (43 and 2-31) and L. Thom (5-34) Kemnay were unable to reach the total (160) set by Crescent. Academy continued their winning streak from last week as they set a total (136) and despite the bowling efforts for Ellon from I. Duncan (5-39) they bowled out 2^nd Ellon for 101. 2^nd Stonehaven’s total (151) proved too much to chase down for Turriff as N. King (5-11) picked up the Key Turriff wickets.

In Grade 4 2^nd Queens Cross set a total (142) which the Huntly youngsters found difficult to chase down but managed to hang on to their last wicket to force a draw with notable bowling from the Huntly’s 13 year old youngsters H Ritchie (3-23), L Patterson (3-40) and J Higgins. 2^nd St Ronald set a total (235) that proved too much for Portcullis despite K Nair’s efforts (48), narrowly missing out on his half century and taking 2 for 55. Despite youngster F Proud’s efforts (37) 2^nd Mannofield lost out to 2^nd AGSFP as N. Blyth (56no) helped his team pass the 2^nd Mannofield total. After setting a sizable Stoneywood-Dyce total (201) 2^nd Dunecht were crushed by Stoneywood-Dyce as they skittled 2^nd Dunecht out for 35

In the Aberdeenshire cup the substantial Ellon Total (284) spearheaded by the batting of S. Davis (140no) and J. Barrett (104no) proved too much for the Mannofield visitors as they were bowled out for 239. In the rearranged Bon Accord cup game 2^nd Banchory’s youngsters continued to shine as A. Starling (138) recorded his maiden century and bowling of J Crawley (3-12), helped secure a win against Artisans who collapsed 103 all out. In the Reid Cup Crescent’s low total (59) was easily overhauled by 2^nd Methlick led by the bowling of S. Kennedy (6-29). In the encounter between Kemnay and 2^nd Gordonians and despite the batting efforts of Y. Ratnayeke (64) and bowling of youngster M. Fyffe (2-24) for Kemnay saw 2^nd Gordonians comfortably overtake the Kemnay total (144) ably assisted with the batting of B. Thomson (51no). In the remaining Reid Cup games Turriff scratched allowing 2^nd Stonehaven a w/o where they will meet 2^nd Methlick on Sun 19^th July. The 2^nd Ellon v Academy was postponed due to a clash of venues and is now postponed to next week. In the Small Clubs Cup the Bon Accord unblemished winning record continued as they set a substantial total (301) which proved too much for the Allan Park team.