For almost certainly the first time in its existence the Turriff Cup Final was completed before the end of August, as Mannofield beat Kintore at the Duthie Park to retain the trophy they previously won in the deferred 2007 final played at the start of this season.

R van Oorschot was adjudged the Man of the Match for wrapping up the tail of the Kintore innings by the umpires who, as throughout the past season, were funded by the proprietor of the Tillydrone Kebab House.

Elsewhere, 2nd Banchory beat Turriff to take the runners-up slot and go up with 2nd Kintore who take the Grade 3 champions title, while at the foot 2nd Grammar FPs beat Stoneywood-Dyce in a game, which nevertheless looks to have condemned both sides to Grade 4 next year.

Bon Accord - Winners of the 2008 Aberdeenshire Cup

Chasing 190 to win, Ellon lost Leon Borstlap first ball and another wicket shortly thereafter.  However Jonathan Barrett and Scott White steadied the ship, and with a quickfire contribution from Aman, still only needed a run a ball to win with three overs remaining.  By then however the frontline batsmen of Ellon were all back int the pavilion, including Barrett who fell to a stunning catch by Shafiq on the boundary, which added to the Bons player's earlier knock of 56 and ten tight overs of spin bowling which yielded just 33 runs. It was left to Malik with the help of two stumpings from new skipper Andy Win to administer the coup de grace with a triple wicket maiden which removed the last three Ellon batsmen. Man of the match was Jonathan Barrett adjudged by umpires Morrison and Philip.

"Following the admitted fielding in their game v AGSFPs on July 12th 2008 of a player who had previously played for the opposition, without first seeking permission for his transfer under Rule 13, Academy CC has been formally reprimanded and reminded of the need to follow proper transfer procedures in future.  An allegation that they fielded another player in the same game who had previously appeared for another club was found to be not proven.

For the associated breach of Rule 11 of fielding the said player on that (and possibly) other occasions prior to registering him with the Association, the Committee has further unanimously decided that, in terms of its powers under Association Rule 6(a), a deduction of 5 league points be applied.

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

The wash out at Banchory means that Cults retain the Grade 1 title for a further season, as neither Kintore not Bon Accord, whose game scheduled for the Links was postponed by agreement to August 31^st, can now overhaul them; while at the foot both 2^nd 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 through out 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 over Fraserburgh at the Broch.  At the foot Kemnay gained just their second win of the season over 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 2^nd Kintore crashing to defeat by Anchorians, while Turriff were also held to a draw by 2^nd Methlick, and Stoneywood-Dyce, for whom J Hameetman scored the day’s only century, still lost to 2^nd Ellon and therefore gained just 4 points over Dunecht in the battle to avoid relegation.  The outstanding games between Stoneywood and Kintore & Grammar FPs, and between Banchory and Turriff will be vital to the final outcome in this closest of leagues.

Ex Portcullis Captain David Bowie and current player Alan Dobey have just returned from the Vintage Cricket Festival at Stratford on Avon.

The 6 day Festival included games of cricket featuring former test and county players (Joel Garner and Ricky Clarke of the West Indies,  Geoff Howarth NZ). Brian Hardie (ex Essex and Scotland) captained the Scottish team in which Alan & David played, however the majority were ordinary club cricketers intent on celebrating the summer game and English beer.

Many of the players took their long suffering cricket widows with them as there were organised trips and functions including two "free bar" receptions.

Ex Portcullis skipper David Bowie and team mate Alan Dobey joined the Scottish contingent at the Vintage Cricket Carnival earlier this month...

Alan and I were concerned that the Ex & Current Grades boys would not be up to the standard of the other members of The Tartan Ton (as in weight!!!) who represented Scotland at the festival, but as it turned out we made significant contributions. Dobey outscored, out bowled and out caught his former skipper, which made it a long trip back. (You know that I would not be so ungracious as to mention that I bowled and batted further up the order!)

Cults’ first victory over Bon Accord this season now makes them odds-on favourites to take the Grade 1 title for a further season; while next Saturday’s match between Kintore and Bon Accord, short of a heavy defeat of Cults by Banchory, looks as if it will now be a tussle for the runners up spot.

At the foot of the Grade 1 table meanwhile, with Inverurie, 2^nd Cults and Caledonian all losing, Mannofield look to have assured their league 1 status for a further season.

Who replaces them has still to be determined, with both St Ronald and Grammar FPs dropping points, while Gordonians comfortably beat Academy to push the Duthie Park side closer to relegation, and draws for Kemnay and Artisans threw them a lifeline in the battle to stay up.

At the meeting of the Association Management Committee held on Wednesday evening, August 13th 2008, it was unanimously agreed that both Mannofield teams be deducted five league points under Association Rule 20 – late reporting of results.

This related to the games played at Countesswells on Saturday 28th June 2008, for which the results were not reported until the afternoon of Tuesday July 1st with no satisfactory explanation being given,  thereby missing not only inclusion in the Press, but also the weekly update of the Association’s own Web site, inconveniencing other clubs in the relevant Grades as well as Association officials.  The Committee noted that the captain of the Grade 1 side had also received a verbal warning on this matter earlier in the season; but results had continued to be late.

All clubs are reminded that results [or the fact that play is continuing] must be notified to the Association Secretary by 8.15pm on the day of play.

While a degree of latitude can be allowed in exceptional circumstances, the Committee felt that the delay in this case was totally excessive and unreasonable; and that it had no option but to apply a penalty in this instance.

D M Jones

Honorary Secretary