It will take a major surprise for Bon Accord not to retain their position at the top of Grade 1. They are at home at Links against AberGreen who are bottom of the table.
1 point above AberGreen are Grampian, who are at Harlaw to play Crescent who are not too far ahead of them in 8th place. It’s a noon start for the Grampian game and the same applies for the clash between Mannofield and Gordonians at Mannofield. Mannofield are not at full strength, but have enough batting and bowling to be competitive. Gordonians welcome back Indy Pandit and Harshad Parkar from injury, and also have a rare appearance from Sree Devadas who was playing bazball before the term became commonplace.
Cults have been blowing very hot or very cold this season, so it will be interesting to see how they get on at Kellands Park against Inverurie who have been consistently solid all season. Inverurie are again without Jordan Thom and Fraser Lawrence.
Potentially the match of the day is at Allan Park between Master Blasters and Knight Riders. Master Blasters include all rounder Jay Gajjar who had a confidence boosting outing in Grade 3 last weekend, and Gautam Bhatia is back for Knight Riders.
Runaway Grade 2 leaders AGSFPs play Portcullis at Rubislaw. Portcullis have Ross McKenzie available, and whilst Rob Swiergon is missing for Grammar, his absence is more than adequately compensated for by the return of Karan Anand, Alex Keith, Hamish Penman and Mahesh Challa.
Methlick take on Banchory at Lairds, the latter being stretched on availability due to the holiday season kicking in.
Lewis Myron-Petrie drops down from SPCU duty and will get some batting and bowling as Huntly go to Inverdee to face 2nd AberGreen.
2nd Grampian are on the road to Fraserburgh and 2nd Knight Riders host Ellon at Groats Road.
In Grade 3 the top 2 meet as 2nd Master Blasters are the home side at Inverdee against 3rd Gordonians. Gordos skipper Viji Nair has found his bowling boots lately, but they could do with a return to form with the bat from Mahesh Patel if they are to pose a serious challenge to the league leaders.
Holidays are impacting 2nd Mannofield as Phil Wood takes a very under strength side away to Dunecht.
Shahmir Naseer is topping the wicket takers in Grade 3 and would hope to increase his tally as Crathie will be favourites at home to 2nd Methlick.
Stonehaven have Nigel King back as they play Stoneywood Dyce who are missing skipper Finlay Jack as they meet at Duthie Park.
In the SPCU North East Championship, Gordonians are the only team not to have been beaten so far this season by Arbroath. Granted that is in part due to the fact that their earlier league encounter was abandoned, but Gordos won’t be going to Arbroath just for the quality of the teas.
Huntly are 3 points ahead of Aberdeenshire in the league and they meet at Castle Park. Both teams are hot on the heels of 2nd placed Perth Doocot, and the winner could move up to 2nd place if Perth lose at home to Strathmore. Shire are without Lewis Munro and David Gamblen.
After 2 fruitless trips to Aberdeen in a row, 2nd Forfarshire will be expected to beat 2nd Falkland at Forthill.
After their drubbing at the hands of Arbroath last week, Freuchie would hope to return to winning ways at Forfar against Kinloch, but they will be without the suspended Dean Stonebridge for the next 3 games.
It’s a David v Goliath encounter as Eastern Premier League leaders Grange are at People’s Park on Saturday. Gordon Goudie plays for Grange as he returns to his old stomping ground, and given the gap between the 2 teams in the league, it’s a bit of a free go for Stoneywood Dyce. Veteran David Lamb makes his first league appearance of the season for Stoneywood who have Jon Grant available to open the bowling.
Bottom side Meigle are at Watsonian who always look weaker when Liam Naylor isn’t in their side, and Falkland host Forfarshire who will have to cope without Craig Wallace.
Stewart’s Melville go to RH Corstorphine who are minus strike bowler Caleb Whitefoord.
Fraser Proud has been having a miserable run with the bat in the ESCA Championship but he steps up for his first appearance in the EPL as Heriot’s make the short trip to face Carlton.
Huntly name a strong side for the Bon Accord Cup semi final against 2nd AberGreen at Huntly on Sunday. AGSFPs await the winners in the final.
The Caley Region CS T20 finals day is at Arbroath on Sunday. The late withdrawal of Forres has left Aberdeenshire, Falkland and Forfarshire to play a round robin to see who will qualify for the national finals day. Aberdeenshire play in the first 2 games that are due to start at 10.30am.