NEW INVERDEE PITCHES TAKE A BOW

Grade 1 leaders Mannofield name a strong side at home to AberGreen. Captain Rahul Chandu has been letting others do the business for the team, which would suggest that they have at least another 9.09% of quality to utilise as and when required.

Inverurie are close to full strength as they host title chasing Master Blasters at Kellands Park, and Bon Accord go to Harlaw to face bottom side Grampian.

Don’t expect to see 60 sixes at Links this weekend as Crescent play Gordonians there, and the Allan Park clash between Cults and Knight Riders could go either way as both teams have individuals who are bang in form.

Grade 2 leaders AGSFPs include the rarely seen Karan Anand in their team for the first ever game on the new pitches at Inverdee. They play 2nd AberGreen.

Paul O’Neill appears on the Fraserburgh team sheet for the first time in a long time and he will improve their chances of pulling off a result as they go to Methlick.

Sam Rotheram is back for Banchory as they welcome Ellon to Burnett Park. 

Huntly are taking the visit of 2nd Grampian very seriously as Liam Ferguson and Steve Shorten bring their experience to the side, and 2nd Knight Riders play Portcullis at Groats Road.

3rd Gordonians take their unbeaten record in Grade 3 to Dunecht, and the inclusion of Lloyd Belton means that Crathie will have a better than average chance of staying top of the table at Stonehaven.

Kicking off the action on the other new pitch at Inverdee are Stoneywood Dyce who play 2nd Master Blasters.

2nd Gordonians have Alex Hounsome and Ryan Davis back in their ranks as they play 2nd Mannofield at Countesswells.

It’s top versus 2nd place as Huntly head to Arbroath in the SPCU North East Championship. Other than missing Andrew Petrie, Huntly are at full strength.

Perth Doocot bring in spinner Magnus Moody as Aberdeenshire head to Perth, although Shire are without the spin twins of Cummings and Anderson.  

2nd bottom Gordonians are at home to bottom side 2nd Falkland with pressure on to avoid defeat and claw their way up the table.

Freuchie have a strong side out as Strathmore cross the River Tay, and 2nd Forfarshire make the short trip to Forfar to play Kinloch.

In the Eastern Premier League Stoneywood Dyce include Jamie King as they go to RH Corstorphine. No Lennard Bester or David Kidd for SDCC. 

Heriot’s take a very strong team to Meigle, the latter being due a big score from their pro Raju Gayashan who has been outshone with the bat by Tiaan Brits.

Grange will find it tough to keep hold of top spot as they go to Forfarshire and the Falkland v Carlton clash could be a good match up at Scroggie Park.

Watsonian have kick started their season but the on form Riyaad Henry could make it difficult for them as Stewart’s Melville visit.

The Northern Lights will be looking to bounce back on Sunday against Stewart’s Melville Women in round 5 of the WPL at Mannofield following their loss to West of Scotland Women. Northern Lights welcome back Ailsa Lister and Becky Glenn into the team with Megan McColl and Zoe Bailey not available for what looks like another interesting game. Stewart’s Melville usually challenge at the top of the league but are experiencing a dip in form having lost 3 games so far and Northern Lights will be hoping this continues.

It could be an Aberdeenshire Cup quarter final cracker as Mannofield go to Gordonians at Countesswells on Sunday and new Inverurie signing Liam Maxfield makes his return as they host Knight Riders.

No Bowie brothers for Fraserburgh as they play 2nd AberGreen in the Bon Accord Cup at Inverdee on Sunday.