Grades cricket refers to the leagues and competitions run under the auspices of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association and is generally accepted as an inferior, but no less competitive, stratum of the Scottish game. Historically, it's member clubs have been drawn from a mixture of small, self contained cricket clubs and works based (or recreational) sides (some of which have developed into full blown cricket clubs).

Although affiliated to the main Scottish cricket hierarchy, (Cricket Scotland Ltd Inc.com.biz, formerly, the Scottish Cricket Union) the ACA is, for the most part, an autonomous body as it's unique rules and regulations demonstrate (it retains the draw, against all current trends).

The structure of Grades cricket fluctuates dependant on the number of participating clubs in any given season. There are currently 4 leagues ("Grades"), Grade 1 being of a mostly high level (in some cases matching that played at the more regarded Strathmore Union level) but it is full of cheats, Grades 2 & 3 can be very competitive, but far behind Grade 1, in terms of ability and mostly played by drunks, and Grade 4 is just shite.

The Rules

The ACA Constitution (current)

Grades clubs (as of season 2007)

Grade 1

Banchory
Bon Accord
Caledonian
Cults
Cults 2nds
Ellon Gordon
Inverurie
Kintore
Mannofield (part of Aberdeenshire C.C.)
Stonehaven Thistle

Grade 2

Academy
Artisans
Queens Cross
Grammar FPs
Gordonians
Kemnay
St Ronald
Methlick
Crathie
Fraserburgh

Grade 3

Anchorians
Crescent
Dunecht
Kintore 2nds
Stoneywood Dyce (the clubs 3rd X1)
Queens Cross 2nds
Turriff
Grammar FPS 2nds
Ellon 2nds
Banchory 2nds

Grade 4

Dunecht 2nds
Mannofield 2nds
Methlick 2nds
St Ronald 2nds
Stonehaven 2nds
Portcullis
Huntly Highlanders
Gordonians 2nds

Competitions

As well as each Grade title, there are league cup competitions for each grade:

• G1 - Aberdeenshire cup
• G2 - Bon Accord cup
• G3 - Reid cup
• G4 - Johnston cup

The ACA also has an open cup competition, called the Turriff cup, played over the 20/20 format and a seven a side competition called the Thistle sevens which has a "plate" offshoot called the Duncan cup.

Grades clubs also take part in competitions outwith the ACA, such as the Small Clubs cup and the Villages cup.

A Grades select side also takes part in the Three Counties cup and more recently a 20/20 competition involving the Grades X1, Aberdeenshire and Stoneywood Dyce.

Current trophy holders

G1 - Bon Accord
G2 - Artisans
G3 - Methlick
G4 - Turriff

Aberdeenshire Cup - Kintore
Bon Accord Cup - Cults 2nds
Reid Cup - Crathie
Johnston Rose Bowl - Turriff
Turriff Cup (20/20) - Bon Accord
Thistle Sports Trophy (7 a-side main) - Bon Accord
Duncan Cup (7 a-side plate) - Kintore

External link

ACA Grades website