National Under 14s Finals Day makes it to Aberdeen this Sunday, probably the first time any such event has made it this far north. Weather permitting the semi finals will start at 11am, with Gordonians playing Perth Doocot at Mannofield and Uddingston playing Watsonians at Countesswells. The final and the 3rd/4th place match are due to be held at Countesswells with a scheduled start time of 3pm, although the games will start earlier if the teams are ready.
It’s a crucial weekend for Bon Accord in Grade 1 as they play Cults at Links on Saturday and then 3rd place Gordonians in a noon start at Inverdee on Sunday. 2nd place Master Blasters dropped off the top spot thanks to a surprise defeat against Grampian last Saturday, but they get a chance to reestablish their title credentials as they host bottom side AberGreen at Allan Park.
It;s a noon start as Grampian get a chance to spring another shock as they play Gordonians at Harlaw, the latter include Shaunak Bhatta who has been itching to get his pads on this season. Indy Yahathugoda will be looking to get Mannofield off to a quick start with the bat as they are at home to Crescent, and Knight Riders look strong as they head to Inverurie.
AGSFPs have a very healthy lead at the top of Grade 2 as they are at Groats Road to face 2nd Knight Riders, but they are without their hero from last Saturday Leston d’Costa, and are also minus Karan Anand and Prasanth Poosappadi.
Portcullis head to Huntly who have Lewis Myron-Petrie available who made 76 with the bat on his last Grade 2 appearance. 2nd AberGreen are at Inverdee against Fraserburgh who include 4 players who haven’t scored a run or taken a wicket this season.
Methlick have been in freefall of late and will hope to address the slide against bottom side Ellon at Lairds. 2nd Grampian are over the wall from their 1sts at home to Banchory at Rubislaw.
In Grade 3 Dunecht are at Inverdee to face league leaders 2nd Master Blasters. Kanishka Desai took 6 wickets at the same venue last week for Master Blasters, but he may find wickets harder to come by against Dunecht.
2nd Gordonians have home advantage against 2nd Methlick at Countesswells, but that’s where the advantages run out as they are without most of their top players, and 2nd Methlick have Daniel Reeve available.
Well done to Stonehaven for facilitating their match versus 2nd Mannofield and the latter include Will Anderson who has been batting well in his rare appearances.
It’s an early warm up for the Reid Cup final as 3rd Gordonians play Stoneywood Dyce at Duthie Park.
It’s derby time at Countesswells in the SPCU North East Championship as Aberdeenshire line up against Gordonians with both teams close to full strength. The match of the day is 2nd against 3rd as Huntly go to Perth Doocot. Jordan Squire and Irtaza Hussain complete the best available Huntly bowling attack, but Safyaan Sharif could carry the Perth team with bat and ball.
Unbeaten Arbroath are at home to 2nd Forfarshire, and it’s the Forfar derby as Kinloch are the home side against Strathmore. Freuchie host bottom side 2nd Falkland.
In the Eastern Premier League it’s opportunity knocks for Stoneywood Dyce as they go to 8th placed Falkland, but they do so without their usual wicket keepers in Andrew Maclaren and Ailsa Lister. Bottom side Meigle are at home to Stewart’s Melville and they will be fancying their chances of leapfrogging Stoneywood Dyce, although a lot will depend on whether their Pro can get any runs on the board.
Grange have a lot of big names in their side as they go to RH Corstorphine, the latter having Brandon McMullen who has been short on wickets domestically, but high on runs.
Adrian Neill and Gavin Main lead the Heriots’ attack as they are at Forfarshire, and the Carlton bowlers will undoubtedly be relishing the challenge of bowling at Oli Hairs as they go to Watsonian.