Despite the loss due to rain of the jewel in the crown Grades 125^th Anniversary Festival fixture versus a SCU President’s XI, which it is hoped might be re-scheduled for a later date, there will still be plenty of interest in the Grades regular programme at the weekend.

At the top of Grade 1 Bon Accord should not be unduly extended against Banchory at the Links ahead of their attempt to retain the small Clubs Cup against Glasgow-based Victoria on Sunday; but things could be far closer at Kintore where despite now being out of both the Villages and Aberdeenshire Cups the Castle Park side look now to have consolidated their position in the league following a poor start to the season and take on a Mannofield side, who with home advantage beat them comfortably last Sunday.  Cults meanwhile should have enough firepower to beat Inverurie at Kellands Park, while Grammar FPs could struggle, despite having home advantage against an in-form Ellon side.

In Grade 2 St Ronald could take a further step towards promotion away to Methlick, while Cults-Artisans and Anchorians will fancy their chances against Crathie and Crescent respectively.

St Ronald also look set for a second successive promotion at the top of Grade 3, having taken full points off Academy last weekend, as well as having a delayed Cup semi-final versus Kintore on Sunday for the right to meet Gordonians in next month’s final.  Knightriders against Kemnay could be a significant game in deciding the fate of the Grade 4 title with the Bogbeath Park side hoping to bounce back from last week’s hiccup against Turriff, who themselves will hope to take full points from 3^rd Gordonians, who also play 2^nd Dunecht in a re-arranged league game on Sunday.  Transport problems mean that Portculliis’s game against Huntly is postponed to September 4^th; with the town side taking the opportunity to fit in a practice match at their Duthie Park ground.