Congratulations to Clydesdale CC and Glasgow Accies CC, as both clubs won through the qualifying rounds, and semi-finals, to contest an all-west final in the Scottish region stage of the ECB Under 13 Vitality T20 Cup. Having defeated Carlton and Grange respectively in the quarter-finals, Finals Day began with both clubs recording comprehensive victories in the semi-finals – Clydesdale CC beating Dundee High School FPs CC by 95 runs and Glasgow Accies CC beating Perth Doo’cot CC by nine wickets.

Glasgow Accies CC won the toss in the final, on the main pitch at “Goldenacre” (Heriots CC), and elected to bat first. Ben Willmott struck early, but then Glasgow Accies CC built a partnership of 31 for the second wicket.  When that second wicket arrived, it came from a direct hit run out – following in the same passage of play as a dropped catch at mid-off.  This triggered a flurry of wickets, from 36 for 1 to 51 for 5 – despite Nastraullah Safi’s 22.

Karan Shah (11) and Mustapha Fahd (12) then added 22 for the sixth wicket – enabling Glasgow Accies CC to finish on 85 for 8 from their twenty overs. While there had been wickets for Samuel Hargie (two) and Willmott, Aaban Rashid and Dhruv Shenoy (one each), all six bowlers used had bowled with control and finished with economy rates of 4.5 or lower. This effort was backed up in the field, with another two direct hit run outs – the highlight being a great piece of quick thinking from Clydesdale CC skipper Bahadar Esakhiel to create one from almost nothing.

If that had displayed a great understanding of the game, Glasgow Accies CC wicket-keeper Ritvik Maheshwari immediately matched it – creating a stumping from nothing, standing back to opening bowler Akshat Gupta.  Clydesdale 18 for 1. Then, similarly to the first innings, a crucial second wicket partnership formed. Esakhiel played a controlled innings, reaching 30 and retiring.  Fizan Rashid then provided support, with 22 – and, even when Esakhiel had to retire, Willmott’s 15 (off ten deliveries) kept the momentum firmly with Clydesdale CC.  Both Rashid and Willmott were dismissed within 5 runs of their side’s target, with Glasgow Accies CC’s opening bowlers Gupta and Mikaeel Shabbir getting the rewards that their probing spells deserved. However, it was eventually to be Clydesdale CC’s day – completing the win.

Congratulations, again, to both clubs for their achievements in reaching the final – and good luck to Clydesdale CC (pictured) as they go on to represent Scotland in the next round.