Gordonians make the short journey to play at Mannofield this weekend. Gordos welcome back Indy Pandit who’ll strengthen their batting while it was the all round talents of Jamil Sheikh who inspired Gordos to a win against 2nd Knightriders last weekend. Team Yahathugoda will be looking forward to get off the mark this weekend with both Indy and Ken registering ducks last weekend in a narrow loss to Master Blasters.
Cults will be hoping to bounce back from last weeks mauling by Bon Accord although Knightriders are the visitors to Allan Park and they’ll be hoping 2022 could be their year to finally conquer Grade 1. Rahul Meghani was back in Cults colours last weekend and was his usual economical self. Knightriders have a new captain in Pehlaj Tenneti this season so it will be interesting to see if he shakes things up.
2nd Knightriders host Grammar at Groats Road, Grammar are missing Rob the run machine Swiergon and Big Prash so their resources are extremely stretched but they’ll be delighted to welcome back veterans John Thomson and Roland Knudson who have a combined age of 138. Don’t let their ages fool you though as they never give much away with ball in hand.
Inverurie welcome back Jordan Thom and Fraser Lawrance to bolster the home sides bowling resources and with Bon Accord in town and Fazal Awan and Akhlaq Awan in form it could be an interesting battle.
Crescent after their dramatic win last weekend have the luxury of naming the same 11 that faced Inverurie! Will be interesting to see if Kamal Reddy moves up from number 9 after his 77 not out. Hemal Chovatiya with 5 for 16 last weekend could be the man to ruin Crescents 100% record.
In Grade 2 Fraserburgh welcome 2nd Grampian. The weather beaten Brochers only make 1 change from the team that defeated Siyapa last weekend with Dave Munro dropping out. Maynul Nadim is a match winner with bat or ball so the Broch will have to work hard to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Portcullis and Grampian meet at Duthie Park. Keir Paterson was on fire with the ball against Banchory last week while Harry Murphy has returned from witness protection as well. Grampian were without Josino Aluvathingal and Jeby George last weekend which is always good news for opposition bowlers.
Ellon travel to Harlaw to play Siyapa and with Jonny Barrett on form after plenty of runs for the Forty Club this season he’ll be looking forward to not retiring at 50 if he gets that far. Exciting news from Siyapa is that they are hoping to stream tomorrows game via Frogbox and I believe they are the only Grades club that’s invested in this technology.
Banchory pickup their 1st win of the season as a result of 2nd Grammar not being able to field a team.
In Grade 3 its 3rd Gordonians that should get to sample the Crathie pies. 3rd Gordonians are fortunate to call on the services of Vijay Amitharaj who was previously with Knightriders. Crathie had player availability issues of their own last weekend but it’s expected that they’ll be able to put out a side this weekend.
2nd Gordonians welcome back talisman Ryan Davis but by the looks of an extremely powerful Stoneywood Dyce I can’t see anything other than an away win for a team which includes Mark Lambley, Umair Qureshi and Martin Reid in it.
2nd Methlick’s Deni Sarafimoski will be delighted to call on some additions to his bowling resources after 3rd Gordonians plundered their attack last week. The smell of deep heat could be something else to get Brian Anderson, Mike Bremaneson and Alan Hill through a game. Huntly include Michael Clark and the housewives favourite Darren Morrison leads the side.
Stonehaven face a fearsome Methlick who include Colin Addison and Tim Duffy in their team lines. I’m sure everyone associated with Grades cricket is delighted to see them back on the park even if it gives opposition batsmen a few sleepless nights. Stoney batsmen Jason Gouws and Alex Lynch like to clear the boundary so this is a contest that really whet one’s appetite.
Dunecht can’t raise a side so that hands 2nd Siyapa their first win of the season.
On Sunday it’s the preliminary round of the Aberdeenshire Cup, last seasons finalists Gordonians have home advantage against Knightriders and in the other match Master Blasters face Cults.