For almost certainly the first time in its existence the Turriff Cup Final was completed before the end of August, as Mannofield beat Kintore at the Duthie Park to retain the trophy they previously won in the deferred 2007 final played at the start of this season.

R van Oorschot was adjudged the Man of the Match for wrapping up the tail of the Kintore innings by the umpires who, as throughout the past season, were funded by the proprietor of the Tillydrone Kebab House.

Elsewhere, 2nd Banchory beat Turriff to take the runners-up slot and go up with 2nd Kintore who take the Grade 3 champions title, while at the foot 2nd Grammar FPs beat Stoneywood-Dyce in a game, which nevertheless looks to have condemned both sides to Grade 4 next year.

The latest heat wave to hit Aberdeen brought forth a spate of draws in the lower grades on a day which saw Inverurie inflict a surprise defeat on local rivals Kintore at the Castle Park, and Bon Accord make up ground following another century from the prolific bat of Fazal Awan.

His was one of three undefeated centuries to be recorded in Grade 1 with Tim Donald and Wajahat Ali putting Caledonian’s attack to the sword at Burnett Park, while Cults skipper Amol Saxena turned in another fine all round performance in his side’s defeat of Ellon to remain on course for retaining their league title.  Elsewhere Mannofield beat 2nd Cults to enhance their chances of again surviving in the top flight along with Inverurie at the expense of the Allan Park’s Second Eleven.

Defeats for Bon Accord and Stonehaven were the main surprises of the latest round of games in Thistle Sports Grade 1, on a day when a dammp pitch at Kellands Park led to the voiding of Cults' game versus Inverurie.

At the Links Bon Accord were dismissed for just 117 by Ellon, Henry Woolridge-Gordon proving the match-winner with a haul of four wickets followed by an undefeated half-century as the Bons' run machine for once failed to click; while at Allan Park Stonehaven's lingering chances of winning the title almost certainly disappeared, as 2nd Cults gained vital points in their attempt to retain their top flight status at the expense of Inverurie and Mannofield, the latter of whom fell just short of overhauling Banchory in a high-scoring draw at Burnett Park follwing a century knock for the home side by Phil Potter.

The weekend's monsoon rains held off long enough for another full programme of league games to be completed in the Thistle Sports Grades, on a day which saw no fewer than five centuries being logged in the lower divisions.

Two of these came at Countesswells with Aditya Barthakur and Tariq Butt each reaching the magic milestone, as promotion-chasing Gordonians ran up 296 for three off 40 overs but were still unable to force victory against Fraserburgh; while the day's other centurions were Charles Woolridge-Gordon for 2nd Ellon, Jeremy Skedge of Crescent, and Stuart Davidson of 2nd Kintore, the last-named still finishing on the losing side as Chris Forbes of Anchorians fell one short of being the day's sixth centurion in a high-scoring game in the Duthie Park.

Wins for Stonehaven, Bon Accord and Kintore mean that current title holders, Cults, are for the meantime condemned to playing catch up in Grade 1 for once.

With a century from Jonathan Barrett also leading Ellon to victory over Banchory, this season's Grade 1 looks like being one of the most closely contested for a few seasons; while Mannofield gained valuable points ahead of Caledonian, 2nd Cults and Inverurie in the lower reaches of the table.

Fazal Awan was once again Bon Accord's match-winner in the clash at the Allan Park, top-scoring with 78 and taking four wickets as the visitors rattled up 238 for six before bowling their arch-rivals out for 161.

A dramatic day in the Thistle Sports grades saw Cults and Bon Accord both lose their previously unbeaten records at the top of Grade 1, while Caledonian bounced back from their recent woes to tie with Banchory, 2nd Cults recorded their first victory at Grade 1 level, and in Grade 4 there was an undefeated double century.

For 1st Cults only Steve Morrison recorded a significant contribution with the bat as Jonathan Barrett with four wickets and Scott White with three, following on his joint top score of 36, combined to dismiss the current chmpions at the Gordon Park.

NPOWER NATIONAL VILLAGES TROPHY - SCOTTISH REGION 3rd ROUND

Kintore 107-8 (D. Anderson 30, A.Stalker 25; S. Gourlay 3-28, K. Hutcheon 2-16). Freuchie 108-2 (R. Birrell 49no).

ABERDEENSHIRE CUP - PRELIMINARY ROUND

Culter Curry Bon Accord 267-9 (F. Awan 80, Shaffiq 28; A. Starling 3-82, Moinelq 4-57). Banchory 207-9 (P. Potter 73, W. Ali 60; Shaffiq 2-15).
2nd Cults 176 (E. Spearman 60, E. Lee 40; S. Middleton 4-47, R. Greenfield 2-25). Ellon Gordon 177-5 (C. Watson 66no, L. Borstlap 41; Raul 2-46).

BON ACCORD CUP - PRELIMINARY ROUND

In all three players recorded centuries - South African D van der Vrley helping to improve Mannofield's position in the lower half of Grade 1, despite their being unable to close out victory against Banchory; while B Webb scored an undefeated 102 for Methlick in their victory over Kemnay, and Chris Forbes scored 107 and took three wickets against Turriff, but still finished up on the losing side.