Sunday proved to be another glorious day for our amazing junior section, as our Under-15s lifted the Vitality Cup Scottish Trophy by defeating both Perth Doo’cot and Grange at Inverleith.

In the semi-final against Perth, we posted a competitive total of 158 for 6 off the regulation twenty overs. Four players – Marcus Vila, Riyansh Kirodian, Ethan Shedbal and Aayush Sinha – each contributed well to this team effort. In response, Perth youngster Aaban Owais batted well to record an undefeated 50 runs, but the later batsmen struggled against the accuracy of Vikaash Saravanan, who bowled his four-over quota for a mere 17 runs while taking two key wickets. His teammates added to the pressure on the Perth batsmen with sharp fielding, and there were a number of mistakes from our opponents, with a few run-outs. Finally, victory was achieved by the margin of 11 runs, and the final awaited.

It was to be Grange: the team we defeated last season thanks only to a count-back! This year, the result was more convincing!

The Edinburgh side were first to bat, and they benefited from a strong opening partnership before Vikaash got to work once more! The accurate young spinner again conceded only 17 runs, but this time he dismissed four of our opponents. Well done, Vikaash! You had a truly memorable day! Again, our bowling and fielding unit tightened the screw on our edgy opponents, and running mistakes followed. The Edinburgh side’s total of 122 runs felt achievable, and when Riyansh and Marcus went to work, building a magnificent opening stand of 93 runs, there was little our worthy opponents could do to halt the inevitable, well-earned triumph for Aberdeenshire Cricket Club!

This victorious cup run did not just happen; this squad trains hard all year. This would not be possible but for the enthusiasm, know-how and hard work of our wonderful coaching team, who are supported at all times by the parents of these promising young players. Phil and Rahul, the club owes you and your team of coaches so much!

Spare a thought for first team captain Lewis Munro! On Saturday, he batted magnificently in the match at Freuchie and scored 138 runs, only to end up on the losing side!

Consider then the achievement of Freuchie player Werner Brand. The Fife club’s overseas amateur simply set about our bowling from the word “Go!”, in an explosive innings of 207 not out, including 33 boundaries and 7 maximums. This was attacking stroke-play at its most aggressive, and in a short time we were a beaten team! In two matches against us this season, Brand has scored 307 runs and we have yet to dismiss him!

Werner, we congratulate you on your astonishing displays!

Of our bowlers, Luke Bain stuck to his task and picked up a wicket, while young Arnav Saraswan bowled with excellent rhythm and purpose, picking up a couple of victims.

On Saturday, we face Perth Doo’cot at Mannofield; this match offers us an opportunity to recover our form and rebuild our title fight! On Sunday, our first eleven have the chance to retain possession of the Three Counties Cup. The four sides left in the competition – Aberdeenshire, Freuchie, Huntly and Strathmore – are, I believe, the best sides in the league, and they should provide a marvellous carnival of competitive twenty-overs cricket.

Good luck, lads!

Our seconds faced Bon Accord at Mannofield in conditions that favoured the batsmen. Riyansh Kirodian certainly made good use of the track by crafting a well-made 71 runs. What a weekend he has had! Nevertheless, a home total of 206 for 5, though respectable, hardly seemed likely to be beyond a team with Fazal Awan, Grade 1’s true batting superstar of recent years.

Cricket can defeat even the best of us; Andrew Hastie did the necessary and Fazal fell cheaply this time. His teammates batted on undaunted, however, and a fruitful partnership between Pal Dhami and Mohammad Ayaz of 158 runs put the visitors in an unstoppable position, finally running out victors by 7 wickets. Aayush Sinha was the most successful of the home bowlers, getting in very useful practice for his heroic efforts in Edinburgh on Sunday. Rahul’s seconds have stumbled a little in the past couple of weeks; I expect them to return to winning ways at Rubislaw on Saturday.

On Sunday, our third team line-up had a more mature look, with several of the regular younger players performing marvels in Edinburgh. The “seniors” certainly didn’t let us down. With Coach Phil Wood away on coaching duties, club legend Shayanthan Nanthakuraman took over the captaincy reins. In an inspired decision at the top of the order, he promoted fellow club stalwart Rene Van Oorschot—Phil Wood’s very first protégé—who is more widely more known for his bowling than his batting. The result? Rene had a match to remember, scoring a magnificent 142 runs in a team total of 320 for 6 – a truly remarkable feat! Clearly, Rene, you still have so much to offer on the field and have been wasted plying your trade down the order. Forgive me for this one, but please don’t walk away… carry on playing!

A shell-shocked Stonehaven failed to get near that big total, leaving our thirds now in second place in this league. On Sunday, they host Gordonians in a tie they might be expected to win.

In a weekend full of batting achievements, there remains one of note to be highlighted that took place in our fourth eleven on Saturday.

I am always delighted to champion the growing list of successes of our happy gang of developing players in our junior section. They really have astonished us with their cricket in the last few seasons; time and again their scores catch the eye! Nothing they do should come as a surprise!

Well, not much!

Nevertheless, when an eleven-year-old lad scores an undefeated half-century in Grade cricket, my eyebrows are duly raised! Many congratulations to Vihaan Basavaraju – 62 not out against Stonehaven – ensuring your team’s first victory of the season! Vihaan seemed suitably shy on Saturday, dreaming perhaps of a few more, bigger scores in the future. Congratulations to Vihaan and our fourth eleven on that first win! On Saturday, you travel north to meet Fraserburgh.

As always, we wish all our teams the very best of luck this week!