Gordonians played their first ever game on 19th May 1924 and they celebrate their centenary on Sunday against an MCC side at Countesswells with an 11.30am start, probably the only game in the area this season with a lunch and a tea break. Prior to that they face derby games against Aberdeenshire in the SPCU, and Mannofield in Grade 1. Mannofield are at home and have Will Anderson in to bolster their batting line up, but it may need a bit more in terms of batting and bowling from skipper Rahul Chandu to get a result against a strong Gordonians side.
Alphabetical order has Inverurie sitting at the top of Grade 1 but they might have to relinquish that position as they visit Rubislaw to play Aberdeen Grammar. Inverurie are without the twin talents of Jordan Thom and Fraser Lawrance, replaced by Liam Maxfield and Amar Mirashi. Aberdeen Grammar suffered at the hands of Shoaib Laghari last Saturday so it’s hard to tell just how competitive they will be on their return to Grade 1.
Knight Riders are also unbeaten but will have a tough task at Links against Bon Accord. Gautam Bhatia is their man in form as they look to put together another composed and progressive batting performance.
Grades cricket returns to Bogbeth Park in Kemnay as Crescent host Cults, the latter arguably favourites to spoil any Crescent party.
Banchory have found it tough going so far on their return to Grade 1 and it won’t get any easier as Master Blasters hit the A93 westwards.
Grampian have played 2 and won 2 in Grade 2, and they look not far off full strength for their encounter with 2nd Knight Riders at Inverdee. Mynul Nadim is due a score for Grampian having made his last century a year ago against Knight Riders 1st team.
2nd Aberdeen Grammar head to Huntly and have the batting talents of Leston D’Costa and Hamish Penman in their side. Huntly have Donald and Darren Morrison involved.
2nd Master Blasters are unbeaten so far this season and they welcome 3rd Aberdeen Grammar to St Margaret’s.
2nd Gordonians look strong on bowling as Fraserburgh play them on the artificial at Countesswells, but the experience of Fraserburgh may well prove decisive.
No Ross McKenzie for Portcullis as they head to Methlick.
In Grade 3, Michael Watson and Alan Rennie make a severe dent in the average age of an otherwise young 2nd Fraserburgh side as 2nd Mannofield get in their cars to the seaside.
It’s been a while since Ellon indulged in the pie extravaganza at Crathie, and their relatively inexperienced side will depend heavily on Brian Veldsman and Jonathan Barrett on the cricketing side of things.
Dunecht have had a good start to the season and should prove too strong at home to 2nd Methlick.
Stonehaven are at Duthie Park to play Stoneywood Dyce. The Stonehaven batting has been dominated by Andy Gale and Nathan Macaulay-Dicks but the wily Bruce Davidson will be looking to get amongst the wickets for Stoneywood Dyce.
2nd Grampian are at Inverdee against 3rd Gordonians for whom Mahesh Patel will be hoping for a bit more support on the batting front.
Harlaw is the venue for the Aberdeen Tigers v 2nd Banchory tie with Akil Mahbub looking to build on his half century from last Saturday.
The big game in the SPCU North East Championship is at Countesswells as 2 of the 3 unbeaten sides meet. Gordonians will need to get the wicket of Kenny Reid early if they have any hopes of winning, particularly as they are without the destructive batting of Sree Devadas.
Perth Doocot are the other team with a 100% record and they will be without Safyaan Sharif who is on Scotland duty, but they should still be strong enough as St Modans visit.
No Jordan Squire for Huntly as they head to Forfar for what should be a close game against Strathmore.
In an unusual occurrence, 2nd Forfarshire and Stoneywood Dyce play their home and away ties on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday they are at Peoples Park and on Sunday at Forthill. No Jon Grant on either day for Stoneywood Dyce who bring in Rich Greenfield to try to outswing them to a win on Sunday. Liam Latto has been the surprise bowling package for Forfarshire who have Greg Chambers leading their attack on Saturday.
In the other tie Freuchie host Dundee High.
All bets are off in the Eastern Premier League as teams go into the round of matches without their Scotland stars. Craig Wallace features for Forfarshire at home to Stewart’s Melville who will be relying on the all round ability contribution of Riyaad Henry.
Meigle will be delighted that so many of the big Grange players won’t be making the trip from Edinburgh, but Robbie McGlasham picked up 5 cheap wickets and Jamie Crawley got a ton as Grange hammered Meigle in the Scottish Cup 2 weeks ago.
Falkland might fancy their chances of pulling off a result at Heriot’s, and Arbroath will be a little nervous as Chris McBride, fresh from his double century last weekend, lines up for Carlton. Watsonian haven’t had a good start to the season and they are at home to RH Corstorphine.
It’s T20 time as the Bon Accord Cup kicks off on Sunday as Portcullis play 2nd Aberdeen Grammar at Inverdee in a first round tie. Grampian are due to play Methlick in a quarter final match, also at Inverdee, and Liam Ferguson is in the Huntly team that host 2nd Knight Riders in the other quarter final.