A successful run in the knock out stages of the U14 Scottish Cup competition achieved wins over Gordonians 108/1 v 103, Huntly 100/8 v 35 and Arbroath 57/0 v 52 brought the Aberdeenshire U14 team to the Finals Day on August 1st at the Inverleith ground in Edinburgh.

The semi-final was played against a strong Clydesdale Cricket Club U14 side, Clydesdale won the toss and elected to bat first, whilst A Reddy batted positively and retired on 30 the Aberdeenshire bowlers Isira (2), Arnav (2), Aayush (2) and Manu (1) were taking wickets at regular intervals to keep the scoring rate in check and 2 run outs restricted Clydesdale to 100 from their 20 overs.

With 5 runs an over required, the Aberdeenshire batsman Manu and Haider got the innings off to a steady start until Haider (12) was dismissed in the 4th over with the score on 19, the loss of Isira in the next over set the innings back against accurate Clydesdale bowling. Manu hit 17 in the 9th over to bring the innings back on track at 45/2 and retired on 30, Arnav (13), Aayush (6) and Reece (8) tried to keep the innings moving but with the overs running out the innings closed on 75/4.

Whilst it was a disappointment to the players not to make it through to the final it did not let it affect them in the 3rd/4th playoff match against Livingston Cricket Club. With Livingston batting first the Aberdeenshire bowlers got off to a flying start with Manu taking 2 wickets in the first over, brother Arnav followed up with 2 wickets in the 5th over to have Livingston 10/4. Wickets continued to fall until Livingstone were all out for 37 in the 11th over with Arnav (4/10), Manu (3/4), Alex (1) and Fraser (1). The Aberdeenshire openers Manu (26) and Haider (15) attacked the Livingston attack and knocked off the total in 2.3 overs.

The start of the season in May had brought together a number of new players to the club to join the existing group to create a team that has worked well and supported each other, achieving the finals with a good reward for their efforts this year and they will have benefitted from the experience.