The weather last week could have been described as lovely weather for ducks and with no fewer than 26 ducks from the 7 games last weekend the batsmen will be hoping to put that right this week. However we should expect it to be taps aff weather this weekend.
On paper the game of the day should be at The Links when Bon Accord host Inverurie. Will Mr Malik be coming off his long run though that is the big question on everyone’s lips. Grammar vs Crescent should be a keenly contested affair although Grammar are missing Karan Anand. Raja Monnapillai will be looking to fill his boots after an impressive showing for the 2s last week. Cults make the trip to Sheddocksley to play Grampian for whom John Varghese was in good form with bat and ball last week. Knightriders will be looking to put the disappointment of last weeks postponement behind them when Siyapa come to Groats Road. Master Blasters have dipped into the transfer market this week and have lured Ajay Narne from Cults after his undefeated 96 last weekend so poor Gordonians could be in for a tough afternoon if he’s in form again although they welcome back Indy Pandit, Amith Gowda and Jamie Richards.
Fraserburgh welcome Stoneywood Dyce to Kessock Park and with the Bowie brothers free from their modelling commitments plus a lot of hard work to their pitch this week there could be runs a plenty. Methlick vs Mannofield is to be played at Kellands Park due to Lairds not recovering from last weeks deluge. Indy Yahathugoda usually scores heavily at Inverurie so the Methlick bowlers could be in for a tough time. 2nd Grammar make the short trip to Duthie Park to play Portcullis and would be well advised to keep the ball away from the safest hands in Grade 2 in Lewis Randall who is capable of taking worldies when he’s not even looking at the ball! Ellon host 2nd Knightriders and surely Andy Parks can’t burgle anymore wickets after his 3 for 4 last week.
Crathie are on the road to Countesswells to face 2nd Gordonians who are without captain Simon Hounsome. Mike Baldry and Justin Thomas’s names should strike fear into Grade 3 batsmen after sharing 8 wickets last week. 2nd Grampian welcome Dunecht with Laique Rahman hoping to make a winning start as Dunecht skipper. Huntly begin their Grade 3 campaign by welcoming Banchory to Castle Park where the cover drive of Darren Morrison should be on show although Banchory legend Tim Wilkinson must be on the verge of another milestone. Stonehaven host 2nd Methlick where an evergreen Clive Hinchliffe will be expected to take the new ball.
In the Eastern Premier League Stoneywood Dyce will be looking for more runs from Lister and Ninan who both scored half centuries as they beat Falkland in the Scottish Cup last Sunday, and from Jan Stander who made a 50 in a T20 win over Aberdeenshire during the week. They host champions Forfarshire who will be missing international duo Michael Leask and Craig Wallace but still have a lot of talent at their disposal. In the SPCU North East Championship Stoneywood Dyce send their 2nd XI to Countesswells to face Gordonians who will be without Aman Arora. Aberdeenshire sit top of the table due to their alphabetic advantage but they will have to be on top form as visitors Strathmore look to be at full strength. Huntly are back in action and go to Forfar to face Kinloch who were comfortably beaten by Aberdeenshire last Saturday.
Sunday sees the start of the Challenge Cup and Gordonians, who will be very close to full strength, welcome Morton from Edinburgh. Huntly go in the opposite direction as they travel to play Leith FAB, and AGSFPs may well have an uphill battle as they go to Stenhousemuir.