FPs today received word that Kintore will be allowed to withdraw from Grade 1 this season and continue to field a team in Grade 4. The Grade 4 Kintore side will not be eligible for promotion in the 2012 season. It has been decided that Kintore will not be replaced in Grade 1 this season, which means that Grade 1 will consist of 9 teams only, with each team now having 2 free Saturdays during the season. The Aberdeenshire Cup draw will remain with the team scheduled to play Kintore receiving a bye to the next round. Overall it is disapointing for North East cricket and marks a quite amazing fall from grace for Kintore who until recently were consistent Grade 1 title challengers.
At the end of the 2012 season, one team will be relegated from Grade 1 and 3 promoted from each of Grades 3 and 4 (excluding Kintore).
