Washout means Cults retain title

St Ronald fall at the final hurdle

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ALTHOUGH waterlogged pitches at Banchory and Cults means there was nothing at stake in Grade 1 in Saturday’s final round of Aberdeenshire Grades fixtures, in the lower leagues there was last minute heartbreak for St Ronald and a further twist in the struggle to achieve promotion and avoid relegation in Grade 3.

The washout at Banchory means Cults retain the Grade 1 title for a further season, as neither Kintore nor Bon Accord, whose game scheduled for the Links was postponed by agreement to August 31, can now overhaul them. At the foot of the table both 2nd Cults and Caledonian had already been relegated, leaving Mannofield and Inverurie safe in the top flight for another year.

In Grade 2, St Ronald had led the league throughout the season, but slipped at the final hurdle as, in going for the run which would have given them the title, their last batsman was run out to leave their game against Academy as a tie and allow Gordonians to claim the title following their win against Fraserburgh at the Broch.

At the foot Kemnay gained their second win of the season against Crathie, but were still demoted, while Artisans look to have done just enough, with one game still to play against Crathie, to stay up and send down Academy.

The position in Grade 3 at both top and bottom remains still to be determined with 2nd Kintore crashing to defeat by Anchorians, while Turriff were held to a draw by 2nd Methlick, and Stoneywood-Dyce lost to 2nd Ellon and therefore gained just four points over Dunecht in the struggle to avoid relegation.

In the North League, Buckie kept alive their outside chance with an eight-wicket win against 10 man Huntly. The Strathbogie side was dismissed for 54 with Jonathon Corsie and Graham Cassidy both claiming two wickets for no runs.