With only 2 weeks of the season to go Master Blasters are battling for their Grade 1 status at the Links against Crescent on Saturday. Crescent’s form has really picked up in recent weeks after a disappointing start to the season. Crescent welcome back Vineet Khanna to the team that defeated Inverurie. Gordonians and Grammar meet again just 6 days after the Aberdeenshire Cup final, Gordos have made a few changes to the their cup final team so Grammar will be expected to triumph to secure the Grade 1 title for 2021. Inverurie welcome Grampian to Kellands Park for the 2nd time this season with Grampian giving up home advantage earlier this season in rearranging their home. Grampian need full points from this one if they are to get out of the bottom 2. Siyapa have the unenviable job of meeting Bon Accord at Harlaw and with 0.41 of a % between themselves and Master Blasters in the relegation battle they’ll have to be at their best. Counsellor Malik misses out for The Bons in this one Cults have home advantage over Knight Riders at Allan Park, Ravi Majahan is struggling with a knee injury for this one.
A weakened 2nd Grammar make the short trip to Mannofield so it could be a day to win the toss and bat first for Grammar rather than watching the Mannofield run machine go into overdrive. Rich Greenfields glass ankles won’t be looking forward to bowling at Groats Road against 2nd Knightriders and this game could well decide who will end up in Grade 1 next season. Portcullis face Fraserburgh at Duthie Park in what is expected to be Dave Mitchell’s last match for Portcullis before moving abroad for work and Ronnie Falconer’s liver is expected to be thankful for this after going for leaving drinks 74 times already this season! Methlick aren’t in action this weekend with fundraising activities taking priority at Lairds.
Huntly make the trip to Banchory and if Darren Morrison is in the runs or wickets there’s one thing for sure that he’ll be strutting around the football club in Huntly at night. Ryan Davis has the captains armband on for 2nd Gordonians trip to Crathie and he’ll have to be at his best if Gordos have a chance of taking anything from the game against an experienced Crathie side that don’t give much away. Dunecht entertain 2nd Grampian at the Cowdray Estate so Alan Burnett will have some Grampian scalps in his sight when he takes the new ball.
It’s crunch time in the SPCU North East Championship as league leaders Freuchie make the very short trip to neighbours Falkland. Barring the very unexpected, the title should go to the winners of the match. Freuchie have been solid but unspectacular, and Falkland have performed exceptionally well since the return to the team of Harsha Cooray, and would have had the title sewn up if Gordonians hadn’t turned them over at Scroggie Park. Gordonians play Stoneywood Dyce 2nds at People’s Park looking to keep the pressure on for second spot in the table. Aberdeenshire include John Dickinson to strengthen their batting line up as they travel to Forfar to take on Strathmore. Huntly host the always entertaining Kinloch, and Dundee High go to Doocot Park looking to beat Perth and climb off the foot of the table.
In the Eastern Premier League, all roads lead to Edinburgh as the fixture list serves up the only day of EPL cricket exclusive to the City. League leaders Heriots would expect to be too strong for Arbroath, and Forfarshire could do them a favour if they can overcome second place Carlton. Stewarts Melville might be able to escape the drop zone if they can beat RH Corstorphine, given that Meigle won’t be all that fancied against Grange. Stoneywood Dyce are at Watsonians who have batted solidly most of the season, something SDCC have sorely lacked, but if SDCC can bowl to their best then points may be up for grabs.