What a fantastic season it has been for our Boys’ Under 15 teams! We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of both our A and B sides, as our focus on youth development is beginning to pay off.
Let’s start with the Under 15 A side, who had a thrilling run this year. After facing some tough challenges, including the farcical postponement of the original Graham Cup final, they were determined to rise to the occasion.
Their journey to the final included impressive victories over Cregagh and a tense quarter-final match against Instonians. Each game tested their resilience, but they rose to the challenge, culminating in a nail-biting semi-final win at Donacloney. These matches built their confidence and showcased their talent, setting the stage for the final.
Under the brilliant coaching of Steven Crothers and the leadership of captain Alex Fielding, they took on Cliftonville Academy at Stormont in late August in less than ideal conditions.
They set a competitive total of 132 thanks to solid contributions from Ben Ewart with 33 runs, Jack Heron with 24, and skipper Fielding, who added a brisk 20. But it was their bowling and fielding that truly stole the show. They restricted Cliftonville Academy to just 97 with with skipper also shining with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 16 runs.
In the end we ran out comfortable winners by 35 runs, bringing the Graham Cup back to The Green for just the third time in our history!
However, their journey didn’t end there. The following week, they took on the same opposition again in the League final, this time on Cliftonville’s home turf. It was another hard-fought encounter, but unfortunately, they came up short. They batted first and were restricted to just 96 runs, with solid contributions from Josh Parker (24 runs) and Callum Wilson (22 runs). Cliftonville managed to chase down the target in the penultimate over, despite a big effort in the field, particularly from Jaxon Dines, who delivered a fine spell of bowling. While they didn’t take home the trophy this time, it doesn’t take away from what was a fabulous season overall.
Meanwhile, our Under 15 B side also had a season to remember, clinching the Development League title! In the final at The Green, they put in an impressive performance, scoring 146 runs for the loss of just 4 wickets. Jack Heron led the charge with a fantastic 39 runs, supported by Ben Ewart with 27 and Joshua Montgomery, who finished unbeaten with 31 runs. With Thomas Barr’s stellar bowling (2 wickets for 15 runs), they restricted Cregagh to 103, winning by 43 runs.
Their success not only adds another trophy to our club’s cabinet but also highlights the importance of nurturing young talent.
This season has been a testament to the hard work put in by all our young players. They practiced relentlessly, honing their skills and building team spirit. Each player should feel a great sense of pride in what they’ve achieved. Watching them grow, both as cricketers and individuals, has been a true joy.
To all the parents, coaches, and supporters who have been there every step of the way—thank you! Your encouragement and dedication have played a vital role in these successes. Let’s keep this momentum going as we continue to invest in our youth and build on this success in the seasons to come.
