While it may have come too late to win them the league, an innings of 140 from Sreedish Devadas, backed up by an undefeated 78 from Ally Gill, saw Cults chase down Bon Accord’s total of 258 in a high-scoring game at the Links to close the gap on the league leaders. In the race to avoid relegation meanwhile Kintore recorded a vital win against St Ronald, while Banchory, with former skipper Wjahat Ali featuring, fell agonisingly short of forcing victory against a Mannofield team also in the lower part of the table.

In Grade 2 with Methlick out of action Queens Cross beat Crathie on a severely under-prepared wicket at Harlaw to leapfrog the Balmoral Estate club into second place, while a rare win for Academy at the Duthie Park saw them close the gap on Fraserburgh at the foot of the table. The future of cricket at Harlaw, other than on an artificial pitch, must now be in severe doubt, placing further pressure on the limited other facilities available. League leaders Inverurie comfortably beat a Cults-Artisans side who this time last year were themselves challenging for promotion.

2nd Banchory were able to raise only 8 players and went down comfortably against league leaders Knightriders at Sheddocklsey, while Crescent’s win against Reid Cup winners 2nd Methlick gives them renewed hope of avoiding the drop at the expense of Dunecht or 2nd Ellon. With Stoneywood-Dyce being held to a draw by Gordonians, 2nd FPs returned to form against Dunecht in a game switched to the Cowdray Esate.

In the game between the two top sides in Grade 4, 2nd Knightriders drew first blood as they comfortably beat Kemnay in the final of the Johnston Rose Bowl; and will hope to make it a league-cup double when they take on Turriff in their re-scheduled final league game next weekend. Portcullis rounded off their season, and recent return to form, beating 9-man 3rd Gordonians.