GRADES

Aberdeenshire Cricket Association Grade 1 champions Bon Accord continue to set the pace at the top of the table after an unconvincing win against Inverurie Don Valley at the Links.

Not for the first time this season, Bons made hard work of winning after being bowled out for 134 on what is proving to be a tricky home track. John Jessiman was the pick of the Inverurie bowlers, grabbing five wickets for 24.

Luckily for the homesters, the visitors also struggled, this despite a stubborn 32 from Chris Watson. Fazal Awan and Saif Ahmed were the destroyers in chief, taking four wickets for four runs and three for none.

Aberdeen Grammar FPs moved into second place at the expense of Academy at Rubislaw. Grammar won a high-scoring game, amassing 305 for seven wickets before restricting Academy to 229 for nine from their allocation of 45 overs.

Eddie Steinson notched a studied 100, while Alex Keith rattled up a quick-fire 75 for the home side and Sam Knudson took four for 78 when Academy batted. Phani Prattipati took the honours for the losers, scoring 51 and taking three for 41.

The highest individual score of the day was at Gordon Park where Mannofield's Indika Yahathugoda survived a runout decision when on 30 to rattle up 170 in his side's 272 for the loss of nine wickets which proved too much for winless Ellon Gordon, who slumped to 113.

Greg Thomson took three for eight, while Ross Wade turned in the splendid figures of six for 40 for Ellon but the day belonged to Yahathugoda, who said: “'This was a good track to bat on, enabling me to pass my highest score of 138, while hitting six 6s and 10 4s.''

Cults were handsome 137 run winners against Kemnay Kintore at Allan Park where Geet Grover scored a peerless 143 of his side's 295 for six. Knight Riders kept their title hopes alive, bowling out Crescent for 70 after setting them 153 to win. Bijin Vijaraj ended up with the fine figures of five for 15.

In Grade 2 leaders Stoneywood-Dyce got back on the winning trail, easing past Fraserburgh at the Broch, but unable to shake off Grampian and Siyapa who both won.

Methlick moved out of the relegation area after a six-wicket win at home to 2nd Knight Riders.

Stonehaven Thistle remain the only team in the top three grades to have a 100% record after dismissing Crathie for 80 at Balmoral in pursuit of 120.

In the only game played in Grade 4 2nd Methlick chased down 200 to beat 3rd Grammar at Harlaw Road. Rob Fryer hit a sparkling 66 as his side eased to a five-wicket win.