Bons are one win away from clinching the championship

GRADES

Opta Bon Accord closed in on the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association Grade 1 title after a crushing nine -wicket win against Crescent.

With only one game remaining Bons need only beat nearest challengers Knight Riders on Saturday to regain the championship they lost to Aberdeen Grammar FPs last season.

Bons were in unstoppable form at the Links, mainly due to

“We’re looking forward to finishing off the task next week”

Fazal Awan, who took six wickets for 14 runs, enabling his side to bowl out Crescent for 69 before going on to post an unbeaten 39 as the champions elect cruised to victory.

Captain Tauqeer Malik was also among the wickets, taking three for 17. The Bons skipper said: “’We have worked hard to get our title back, and look forward to finishing off the task next week.”

Knight Riders kept their slim hopes of a first Grade 1 title alive.

They easily overcame the challenge of relegated Grampian, beating them by 94 runs after scoring 204 for nine, and then bowling out the home side for 110.

Aberdeen Grammar were convincing eight wicket winners at Rubislaw, first bowling their Inverurie visitors out for 125 and then knocking off the runs for the loss of two wickets.

Allrounder Karan Anand was the home stand-out, taking four for 20 and then hitting an unbeaten 63.

In Grade 2, Ellon Gordon clinched the league championship with a resounding win over derby rivals Methlick, running out easy nine wicket winners.

Brian Veldsman hit a sparkling 84 as his side hunted down the home total of 122 all out.

The relegation battle in this division will go down to the wire after two of the threatened sides, Stonehaven Thistle and Aberdeen Super Kings fought out a thriller at Stonehaven.

Thistle side edged home by 17 runs after the visitors failed to chase down the 202 for nine set them.