Cricket Scotland has released the draw for the 2019 National Secondary Schools (S1 to S3) Cup. The west region qualifying section features seven schools, playing ties on a knockout basis – with the section winners progressing to represent the region at National Finals Day, in Perth, in mid-June.  The draw is available here.

Cricket Scotland has released details of its 2019 cup competitions, for both primary and secondary schools. For more details please click here.

Tim Hart reports, “The Cricket Scotland Schools Week of Cricket culminated with the finals of the BIGBlast! on Thursday the 21st of June, at Doo’cot Park, Perth. As with all the other competitions which made up the week, the west region was healthily represented – this time by Belmont Academy (South Ayrshire), Holyrood Secondary School (Glasgow) and Wallace Hall Academy (Dumfries & Galloway). As is the intention of this S1 to S3 softball tournament, there were plenty of big hits, lots of scampering between the wickets and some outstanding efforts in the field – as all three schools enjoyed a day of cricket in the glorious sunshine.”

Tim Hart reports, “Doo’cot Park (Perth) was the venue for the culmination of the ScotRail National Primary Schools Cup. The competition was for pupils in P6 and below (at the beginning of the 2017-18 curriculum year) and the west region had three representatives at Final Day: Giffnock Primary School (East Renfrewshire), St. John the Baptist Primary School (South Lanarkshire) and The High School of Glasgow Junior School (Glasgow). As well as playing five matches on the day, all the pupils who participated took part in a series of skill challenges during the lunch interval. Thanks to all the pupils for their efforts on the day – and to staff, and parents, who supported their respective schools.”

tim Hart reports, “Following the Eastwood High School (‘EHS’) v Hutchesons’ grammar School (‘HGS’) match in the morning, both schools played a second match at Finals Day in the CityLets National Secondary Schools Cup. Batting first, against Loretto School, EHS scored 132 for 3 from their twenty overs – with Rafay Khan making 71* and Gautam Kakar 44. In reply, a tense finale saw Loretto School left needing 10 to win from the final over. However, EHS successfully defended their first innings score, largely thanks to Arayman Tyagi taking 3 for 29 from his four overs. Congratulations to EHS who finished in third place in the National competition.

“In the final, HGS batted first and scored 113 for 5 from their 20 overs. The main scoring came from Nikhil Koteeswaran (46) and Zakki Tariq (27), as the pair shared a 57-run partnership for the second wicket. In reply, Dollar Academy built three solid partnerships – with each being bigger than the previous. Despite off spinners Aditya Mahapatra and Tariq both picking up wickets, Dollar won by eight wickets with four overs to spare. However, HGS can be proud of their efforts throughout the competition which has seen them win the west regional qualifying tournament and finish as national runners-up.”

Tim Hart reports, “Hutchesons’ Grammar School (‘HGS’) have won the west regional qualifying tournament in the CityLets National Secondary Schools Cup – with a victory over Eastwood High School (‘EHS’), at National Finals Day. With the west region having had the greatest number of competing schools through the country, the region was awarded a second spot at Finals Day, at New Williamfield (Stirling County CC), on Tuesday the 19th of June.

“In the match between EHS and HGS, EHS batted first and, despite being 19 for 1 off four overs, they could only score 47 for 7 off their overs. The change bowlers for HGS all bowled very effectively – with Nikhil Koteeswaran (4-1-7-2) and Mubeen Shah (4-2-5-3) particularly impressing, as did wicket-keeper Owen Gould who took three stumpings and a catch. In reply, the slow match run-rate continued as the EHS bowlers bowled with similar control to their HGS counterparts. Rafay Khan (4-1-9-2) struck twice early on too – but it wouldn’t prove to be enough as Hassaan Mehmood and Gould saw their side home, with 13* and 10* respectively. HGS 48 for 3 (14.5 overs).

“Congratulations to HGS who have won the west regional qualifying tournament and who now play Dollar Academy in the National Final.”

Tim Hart reports, “The Cricket Scotland Girls S1 to S3 Cup finals day took place at Doo’cot Park (Perth) on Monday the 18th of June – with the west region being represented by Castle Douglas High School (Dumfries and Galloway), The High School of Glasgow (Glasgow) and Stewartry Schools (additional pupils from Castle Douglas High School and pupils from Dalbeattie High School). Following a day of matches, the schools finished in eighth, tenth and twelfth places respectively – with a total of fifteen teams making up the competition. Congratulations to all three schools involved on their efforts, as the women’s and girls’ game continue to grow in the west of Scotland.”

Tim Hart reports, “Monday 11 June saw the High School of Glasgow (‘HSoG’) junior cchool host Eastwood High School (‘EHS’) in the regional semi-final of the Cricket Scotland National Secondary Schools (S1 to S3) Cup. Batting first, EHS scored 183 for 3 in twenty overs – their innings being set up by a 100-run opening partnership between Safwan Aamir and Rafay Khan.  Khan would top score with 76 and Aamir made 60. In reply, early wickets meant that EHS were always in full control – and HSoG would go on to finish 66 all out, with Arayman Tyagi taking 3 for 7 from his four overs.

“The result means that EHS now join Hutchesons’ Grammar School in the west regional final. However, a change to the plans nationally has resulted in both schools being invited to participate at Finals Day, on Tuesday 19 June 2018, at Stirling County CC. Good luck to both schools as they represent the west region.”

Tim Hart writes, “It was yet another glorious day, as Hutchesons’ Grammar School (“HGS”) played host to Belmont Academy in the Cricket Scotland National Secondary Schools Cup (for years S1 to S3) . Batting first, at a sun-drenched Titwood (Clydesdale CC), HGS scored 136 for 3 from their twenty overs – with Nikhil Koteeswaran top scoring with 61*.

“In reply, Belmont were always a little behind the required rate after the third over of the innings was a double-wicket maiden from Zakki Tariq.  Despite 39* from Finn Turner, Mobeen Shah’s 3 for 11 then ensured that Belmont could only finish 94 for 5. HGS now progress to the west regional final.”

Tim Hart reports, “Thursday, 24 May saw Titwood (Clydesdale CC) host the west regional qualifying event in the Cricket Factory BIG Blast!. The competition featured six schools, 56 players and fifteen matches. The round-robin format saw Belmont Academy (Ayrshire) emerge as the festival winners (having previously won the Ayrshire regional qualifying event!), with Holyrood Secondary School (Glasgow) finishing as runners-up. Congratulations to both schools who will now go on to represent the west region at National Finals Day, in Perth, in late June.

“As always, a big thanks must also go to Clydesdale CC groundsman Cyril McLatchie for his help with having the ground looking in such good condition and to the teachers (and older school pupils) who helped out with umpiring and scoring on the day.”