In the ICC International Cup Scotland escaped with a draw on the final day as it was washed out and the game abandoned. Ireland will now be looking for consolation in the two ODI's taking place at Mannofield this weekend (22/23 August). All welcome.

Following a marked increase in the number of transfers for which Management Committee approval has been sought over the past two to three seasons, the Management Committee at its meeting on July 15^th 2009 agreed to ask the Rules Committee to undertake a formal review of Association Rule 13.

The outcome of this review is in no way pre-determined; but will hopefully result in proposals being put to the Association AGM in December, which will allow clubs to express a view as to whether the existing Rule needs amendment or clarification.

Among issues (by no means exhaustive) which it has been suggested the review might cover are:

1) The preamble to the existing Rule sets down as a principle that the normal expectation is that once a player has appeared for a club, s/he should be expected to be available to that club for the duration of that year’s league campaign.  Is this still a shared perception?

2) Rules 13 a (dealing with trails) and 13 c (dealing with transfers) are of different vintages, operate for different parts of the season, and have different involvement of the Management Committee.  Do they need to be harmonised?

wytbu8  Aug 16 2009 - 3:47pm   

Following the Grade 4 match between 2^nd St Ronald and Stoneywood-Dyce played on July 25^th 2009, a Complaint of Indiscipline was submitted, which has been investigated under Rule 23 by the Disciplinary Committee of the Association.

This has resulted in one St Ronald player being suspended for two matches for an admitted offence of foul & abusive language towards an opposition player.  Other, more serious, allegations which had been made were found not to be proven.

Because, in terms of Rule 23 c, it was the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee that the actions of players of both sides had contributed materially to the act of indiscipline which was found to be proved, the captains of both teams were also reprimanded.

The Management Committee, on Appeal, upheld the findings of the Disciplinary Committee.

DM Jones
Association Secretary

The weather in the north east on Saturday afternoon saw bright sunshine with temperatures soaring to 18 degrees, unfortunately the consistent rain over the previous two days left nearly all pitches water-logged resulting in a 100% wash out of all the Grade Games.

On Sunday saw the Final of the Bon Accord Cup held at Kellands Park with Queens Cross inflecting a crushing defeat on their opponents 2^nd Cults who never really got going as they were skittled out for just 44 spearheaded by the bowling for Queens Cross from Gavin Jamieson (5 for 15) and Rory Taylor (3 for 13), the Queens Cross batsmen comfortably reached their target despite loosing 2 wickets to the 2^nd Cults youngster Ally Gill (2 for 6). The Man-of-the-Match was awarded to Gavin Jamieson for his bowling performance.

Also, on Sunday, saw the long awaited Semi-Final of the Aberdeenshire cup held at Gordon Park between Ellon and Bon Accord. Bon Accord who batted first were bowled out for 158 off 35 overs led by the batting from R. Dhinan (41), Ellon were in with a really good chance of clinching victory, but with accurate bowling for Bon Accord from T. Malik (3 for 17) and M. Shafique (3 for 24), the home side were bowled out for 104 off 38 overs, with notable batting and bowling for Ellon from J. Barrett (24 and 3 for 17), batting from C. Watson (24no) and bowling from S. White (3 for 10). Bon Accord are now through to the Final to be held at Mannofield on either 5^th or 6^th September where they will meet Cults. NB Original venue date changed due to the two Scotland v Ireland ODI’s to be held at Mannofield on 29^th and 30^th August.

The race for the Grade 1 title is all but over as Bon Accord (206 for 8) continue their impressive 100 percent winning record led by the batting from skipper A. Win (63) and bowling from F. Awan (4 for 15), at the expense of Banchory who were skittled out for 54 despite the bowling effort from A. Starling (4 for 40). Over at Countesswells the formidable Cults total (245 for 6) led by the batting from centurion K. Laghate (102) and bowling from M. Javaid (6 for 30) proved too much for the home team as they crashed out at 135 despite the batting effort from youngster Jason Stark (43). Out of town at Kellands Park the hosts Inverurie set a total (199 for 6) that proved too much for the visitors Stonehaven who were bowled out for 147, with notable batting for Inverurie from G. Hadden (61) and T. Norval (52) and bowling from G. Coutts (4 for 25) and for Stonehaven the Batting from A. Hinchcliffe (65) and Bowling from youngster David Long Jnr (3 for 39). The hosts at Castle Road, Kintore (158) were unable to winkle out the last Ellon (148 for 9) wicket who were only 11 runs short of victory as they were held to a draw. The return of last years overseas Junior Head Coach (S. McGillewie 100no and 6 for 24) boosted the strength of the Mannofield home team as they cruised past the bottom side St Ronald’s total with 9 wickets in hand.
On Sunday Gordonians finally recorded their first win of the season, setting a total (223 for 9) led by the batting of I. Yahathugoda (62) and M. Finnie (40) and despite being restricted by the bowling for St Ronald from V. Brodie (5 for 59) and D. Singh (4-60) proved too much for the St Ronald side to chase down as they were bowled out for 111.

In Grade 2 with only two games left to play AGSFP appear to have secured pole position for promotion as they set a total of 200 for 5 led by the batting from J. Eagles (51) and with both batting and bowling from G. Miller (39no and 3 for 18) as their opponents 2^nd Banchory were skittled out for 87. The second promotion spot is less clear as only 4 percent separates the next 4 teams, with Queens Cross ahead of the chasing pack as they comfortably beat the visitors from Fraserburgh. Over at the Lairds ground Methlick set up a formidable total (282 for 2) led by the batting from S. Murphy (144no) and M. Woodhouse (71) that the struggling bottom of the table side 2^nd Kintore never looked to trouble as they were bowled out for 41. Meanwhile in town at Allan Park 2^nd Cults comfortably passed the Artisans total (158 for 6) despite a half century from S. Chisholm (54). Over at Duthie Park Caledonian’s total (184) led by the batting of A. Senthil (61) proved too much for the Balmoral visitors as they were skittled out for 94 restricted by the bowling from A. Mongotra (4 for 11).

In Grade 3 the two promotion spots look to have been secured as both, leaders (Anchorians) and runner-up (2^nd Gordonians) won their games against Academy and 2^nd Stonehaven respectively. Crescent comfortably reached the target (115) set by the 2^nd Methlick visitors leaving Crescent still within reach of the runner-up spot should 2^nd Gordonians slip up. Over at Gordon Park 2^nd Ellon were crushed by a rejuvenated Dunecht side led by the bowling of C. Harper (5 for 10) and S. Roberts (4 for 11) as they dismissed the home side for just 40 runs. Kemnay hosted Turriff who set a total (206 for 6) led by the batting of N. Smith (73) and P. Shah (46) which the host side managed to comfortably hold out for a draw led by the batting of youngsters Jordan Thom (61) and Andrew Fyffe (31).

In Grade 4 2^nd Queens Cross held onto pole position and 2^nd St Ronald held onto the runner-up position as both teams comfortably beat their opponents Portcullis and 2^nd Mannofield respectively. Over at Cowdry Park the visitors 2^nd AGSFP restricted the home side 2^nd Dunecht to a very low total (37) led by the bowling of M. Blues (4 for 1) which they comfortably cruised past. Huntly’s youngsters managed to hold on for a draw against a formidable Stoneywood-Dyce total (238 for 7) setup by the batting of J. Tindall (69) and J. Holt (48) who narrowly missed out on his half century. 

In the Johnston Cup Final 2^nd St Ronald got the better of 2^nd Queens Cross as they set a total of 250 that the Queens Cross side struggled to chase down. The man-of-the-match was awarded to A. Deep for this batting and bowling performance.

In the Reid Cup Final the 2^nd Methlick total (129) led by the batting of S. Kennedy (67) was not enough as 2^nd Ellon cruised past the total led by the batting of S. Davies (53). The man-of-the-match was awarded to S. Kenedy for this batting performance.

In the Bon Accord Cup Semi-Final the 2^nd Cults total (234) led by the batting of P. Gill (59) was too much for the 2^nd Banchory side to chase down. 2^nd Cults will now meet Queens Cross in the final scheduled for next Sunday 16^th Aug at the Inverurie Home ground Kellands Park.

The first round of the Malik Cup competition finally kicked off today down at the Links with the Grades Select getting the better of their opposition Aberdeen University

Grades Select 144 for 9 (N. Mirza 36, F. Awan 35; G. Tomlinson 3-9 inc hat-trick, A. Wallace 3-22) beat Aberdeen Uni 90 (G. Tomlinson 21, R van Oorschot 18; S. White 4-9, S. Hasan 4-9).

ALL CLUBS LISTED BELOW ARE REMINDED THAT THE UPDATE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE CLUBS IS NOW OVERDUE AND THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU CONTACT Ean Mackie (ianmackie574@btinternet.com) 01224 633786 OR Martin Auld (m.auld@btinternet.com) IMEADIATELY TO ADVISE STATUS. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PROVIDED AN UPDATE.

Academy; Anchorians; Crescent; Gordonians; Grammar; Kemnay; Kintore; Mannofield; Methlick; Portcullis; Queens Cross; Stonehaven; Turriff

Saturday saw all City and south of the City matches rained off, only 3 matches were played in each of the top 3 Grades. In Grade 1 Ellon’s total (219-8) spearheaded by the batting of C. W-Gordon (62) and C. Watson (70 not out) and despite the bowling efforts of J. Barrett (4-42) and S. White (3-37) proved too much for the Stonehaven side to chase down and ended as a draw with a notable half century for Stonehaven from A. Milroy (50). 2^nd Kintore scratched against Fraserburgh.

On Saturday in Grade 2 Methlick comfortably beat the low total (89) set by 2^nd Banchory with S. Murphy (48) from Methlick narrowly missing out on his half century.

The only Saturday encounter in Grade 3 was with the two clubs at the bottom which resulted with Dunecht recording their second win of the season led by the batting and bowling of new boy E. Hewitt (53 and 5 for 9) and notable batting for Kemnay from A. Fyffe (47) who narrowly missed out on his half century and bowling from teenage brothers Jordan Thom (4 for 20) and Liam Thom (3 for 18). 2^nd Stonehaven scratched against Anchorians who extended this lead at the top of Grade 3. On Sunday saw 2^nd Gordonians play their rain effected game from last week against Academy; with Academy setting a mighty total (214) led by the batting of A. Roshan (81 not out), however, 2^nd Gordonians batsman were able to chase down the target led by the batting of T. Butt (103 not out) and M. Finnie (61).

The only match scheduled in Grade 4 was a postponed replay between 2^nd Mannofield and Stoneywood-Dyce which was also washed out.

The Final of the Johnston Cup was held at a very exposed Sheddocksley ground and was eventually abandoned as the rain lashed down soaking players, spectators and the match officials.

The final of the Aberdeenshire Cup due to be held at the Mannofield Ground saw Cults go through as they comfortable beat Gordonians. The other finalist is still to be decided as Ellon and Bon Accord have rearranged their game for 9^th August.

Queens Cross are through to the final of the Bon Accord Cup to be held on Sun 16th August at the Inverurie Ground (Kellands Park) where they will meet the winner of the encounter between 2^nd Cults and 2^nd Banchory.

2^nd Methlick are through to the final of the Reid Cup which will be held next week Sun 9^th at the Inverurie Ground (Kellands Park) where they will meet 2^nd Ellon.

In the Small Clubs Cup final Bon Accord merged as champions as they set a total (196) led by the batting of V. Reddy (90 not out) and R. Dhiman (46) in reply Rossie Priory fell short by only 21 runs despite the batting efforts of B. Tichman (95), but it was the bowling for Bon Accord from M. Saffiqu (4 for 34) that was the decider as he finished with triple wicket maiden.

The Grades Select merged as champions of the MPOWER CUP (formerly The 3 Counties Cup) Final against Forthill at Arbroath. The Aberdeenshire team travelled down to Arbroath to meet their opponents from Forthill. The Grades Select Captain T. Malik won the toss and elected to bat, opening with F. Awan (32) and A. Keith (36), both starting steadily and setting up an opening partnership of 53 before F. Awan fell victim to an LBW, bring K. Laghate to the crease who made a brisk 14 before going for his second 6, perhaps a little high, and scooped a catch to fine leg, next in was N. Mirza whose brief partnership with A. Keith was replaced with J. Barratt, together both going on to take the score to 141 with N. Mirza hitting some mighty hallmark 6’s before both players were out in quick concession in the 19^th over. T. Malik came in to end the Grades Select innings with a might windmill 6, closing the Grades Select innings at 152 for 6.

Forthill opened their batting but were not given the freedom to score as freely with N. Mirza and S. White opening the bowling for the Grades Select, N. Mirza completed his spell of 5 overs taking 1 for 20 and S. White completing his spell taking 3 for 23 including the scalp of the Forthill Professional K. Pickering who was clean bowled for 3 runs, the Forthill ship wobbled and was steadied a wee bit by the innings of G. McLelland (29) and E. McCellands (20) before some tactical bowling changes resulted in V. Ready and G. Jamieson taking wickets in their first overs and with skipper T. Malik taking two wickets in his first over, leaving the Forthill innings too much to do ending their innings 37 runs short of their target.

Grade Select 152 for 6 (A. Keith 36, F. Awan 32, J. Barrett 29; A. Wallace 2-34) beat Forthill 116 for 8 (J. Findlay 36, E. McCandless 24; S. White 3-23, T. Malik 2-15.

The favourite for the Grade 1 title Bon Accord did not disappoint the bookies as they comfortably beat third placed Ellon with notable batting and bowling for Bon Accord from T. Malik (27 and 4 for 31) and for Ellon the bowling of Youngster H. W-Gordon (3 for 29). Over at Alan Park the formidable Cults total (252 for 8) which was setup by the batting of N. Jadhav (83 not out) and K. Laghate (48) was overhauled by the Mannofield team as they won by 4 wickets with 1 over to spare, led by the batting of C. Burnett (107) and youngster A. Lewis (52). Out of town at Mineralwell Park, Stonehaven entertained their neighbour Banchory in a thrilling run chase as Banchory attempted to overhaul the Stonehaven total (201), but were denied the win by 11 runs as the lost their last wicket, with notable batting for Stonehaven from A. Milroy (73) and batting and bowling for Banchory from T. Donald (52) and R. Brown (4 for 48) respectively. With time running out St Ronald still continue to look for their first win of the season as they were denied by the Inverurie visitors who comfortable reached the St Ronald total (108) with 9 wickets in hand led by the batting and bowling of G. Coutts (51 not out and 3 for 13) who was ably supported by the batting of youngster S. Randall (26 not out). The surprised of the day was the flooding of the Countesswells pitch which scuppered the Gordonians and Kintore encounter.