The final round of games before the start of the 125^th Anniversary Cricket Festival next week sees Grade 1 leaders Bon Accord back in action and strong favourites to consolidate their position against Queens Cross at Harlaw, while Cults with home advantage will also fancy their chances at home to Banchory, and Kintore will hope to continue their recent recovery of form ahead of their foray on Sunday into the UK-wide rounds of the Villages Cup by taking points off a strong Ellon side.

In Grade 2 leaders St Ronald should prove too strong for Caledonian, while Methlick will also fancy their chances against Crescent, and Fraserburgh face the longest journey of the day as they travel to meet Crathie.

2^nd St Ronald take on Gordonians and Academy entertain 2^nd Methlick at the top of Grade 3, while 2^nd Kintore, whose Reid Cup game remains outstanding, are carded to meet 2^nd Ellon in the league – common sense suggesting that, if they are not also to play on Sunday, the cup game should take precedence, particularly as the two teams have already met in the league earlier in the season.

Knightriders play 2^nd Mannofield and Stoneywood-Dyce travel to Turriff in the day’s top games in Grade 4, while Kemnay should strengthen their chances of promotion against 2^nd Dunecht.  Huntly’s game versus 3^rd. Gordonians is re-scheduled due to the home side’s pitch being unavailable.

On Sunday, in addition to the Villages Cup, Bon Accord are in action in the final of the small Clubs Cup, while Queens Cross take on Stonehaven in the Aberdeenshire cup and Gordonians take on Anchorians  in the Bon Accord cup for the right to face Cult-Artisans in the final following Fraserburgh becoming the

latest side to scratch from this year’s competition.