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Grades preview 23/24 August

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:16:05 +0100

Following the persistent heavy rain of the past days, the Grades’ league season could well finish with a whimper rather than a bang, although key issues at the top and bottom of Grades 1 to 3 still have officially to be decided.

If rain washes out Cults’ final game of the season against Banchory, then they will automatically finish as champions for a further season without needing to bowl a ball. Even if play is possible then provided they achieve at least 11 points they will be beyond the reach of Kintore, the date of whose game against Bon Accord is still to be finally resolved, following a joint application from the two teams to defer it to Sunday 31st, due to the football game scheduled at Pittodrie for Saturday.

Grades Preview 26/27 July

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:34:21 +0100

Following last weekend’s semi-finals in Grades 2 and 3 this Sunday sees the semi-finals of the Aberdeenshire Cup, with Cults hoping to overturn their Small Clubs Cup defeat by Bon Accord, while Ellon and Stonehaven – both of whom are now realistically out of the league title race – will be looking to end their season on a high by getting through to next month’s final at Mannofield.

In what now looks to be a three horse race for the league title, meanwhile, Bon Accord will hope to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Ellon, and hope that their vanquishers can trip up Cults at the Allan Park. Kintore meanwhile are at home to local rivals Inverurie, whose recent form, and arrival of an overseas amateur from South Africa, suggests they could yet escape relegation. Caledonian look to be already be condemned, but Inverurie’s recent recovery of form and last week’s win by 2nd Cults means that Mannofield have meantime slipped into ninth position, making this week’s game between them and 2nd Cults at Countesswells vital for both sides.

Grades Preview 12/13 July

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:04:56 +0100

Weather permitting, it will be the home sides who should enjoy the upper hand on Saturday. Despite their loss to Inverurie last week, Ellon should carry too much firepower for 2nd Cults in a reprise of their Aberdeenshire Cup game earlier in the season, while 1st Cults will be expected to overcome a Caledonian side looking increasingly destined for an early return to Grade 2.

Perhaps the best chance of an upset comes at Castle Park, where Banchory having held Bon Accord to a draw last time out will fancy their chances of a repeat against second placed Kintore.

Bons and Kintore join Banchory in Semis

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:53 +0100

Two wins each for Bon Accord and Kintore saw them both through to join Banchory in the semi-finals of the Press & Journal Trophy following last night’s results in the Thistle Sports Sevens. Stonehaven & Cults B, and St Ronald and FPs, will meantime battle it out on Monday, along with Cults A and Gordonians, to see who qualifies for the last four of the Duncan Cup.

Grades Preview 14/15 June 2008

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:22:25 +0100

Having been ejected from the small Clubs Cup at the first hurdle, and lost two recent league games, Cults will be anxious to show a recovery of their traditional form when they travel to Kintore on Saturday. Meantime their seconds will be just over the hill, attempting to extend their lead over Inverurie following the Kellands Park side’s first win of the season last week against Caledonian.

They meantime face the stiff task of playing new leaders Bon Accord at the Duthie Park, while Stonehaven – leaders of the pack until last weekend – will hope that last Saturday’s result proves just a blip, as they travel to Banchory.

Grades preview 7/8 June 2008

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:55:04 +0100

The last fortnight’s results mean that the middle third of the Thistle Sports Grades season will be more than usually critical this year.

While Bon Accord should carry too much firepower for Mannofield in the match between the two Links-based sides, Cults will be anxious not to lose any more ground, following two successive defeats, when they take on current league leaders Stonehaven at the Allan Park; while Caledonian will be looking for points at the foot of the table to move ahead of Inverurie and 2nd Cults in the battle to avoid struggling against relegation.

In Grade 2 leaders St Ronald will hope to continue their unblemished league run at home to Scottish Regional Villages Cup winners Methlick; while Gordonians could consolidate their challenge for promotion if they beat Artisans, and Grammar FPs slip up against an improving Queens Cross side.

The First in Grades History

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:33:59 +0100

This Saturday sees a new first in the history of the Thistle Sports Grades as two teams from the same club clash in league competition.

The match concerned takes place at the Allan Park where 2^nd Cults are formally at home to their first eleven and current title holders. Based on results to date, and the fact that 6 of the first eleven players may play for only the first team, an away win is predicted.

Elsewhere at the top of Grade 1 Bon Accord are at home to Banchory; while their co-tenants at the Links, Mannofield, travel to Kintore. Ellon will fancy their chances at home to Inverurie, while Stonehaven have a home tie against Caledonian.

2008 Grades get under way

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:13 +0100

Weather permitting, the Grades cricket season for 2008 opens on Saturday, with a full programme of games in all four leagues following the major reconstruction of the fixture list necessitated by a broken drain on Links 5.

Once again the Grade 1 title is expected to be contested between Cults, Bon Accord and Kintore; with Ellon and Stonehaven also having an outside chance. A new first in the top Grade however will be the presence of two teams from the same club, as 2nd Cults join their first eleven in the top