Belfast Under 14's retain Charlie Beverland Cup in Ayr
Roger Bell
The 2nd Triangular Under 14 Cricket Tournament between Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow took place at Ayr Cricket Club on Monday and Tuesday 12 and 13 August, with Belfast retaining their title.
After Glasgow beat Edinburgh by 1 run in a rain affected match on Monday morning, the match scheduled for Monday afternoon between Belfast and Edinburgh was abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rain.
A full day's play was possible on Tuesday with a win by more than 1 run enough for Belfast to win the tournament. They won by 56 runs to pick up the Charlie Beverland Memorial Cup for a second time. Carrickfergus opening batsman Jack Burton scored a fine 50, while CSNI medium pacer Harvey Whiteside picked up 4 wickets, and Lisburn allrounder Matthew Lightbody scored 32 and took 2 for 23.
The Tournament was first organised last year to fill the considerable void left when when it was announced that the popular Lord's Taverners' Inner Cities Competition had been discontinued, and the reaction from the three teams was that it was again a great success depite some wet weather on the first day.
Belfast team manager Roger Bell commented "It is hoped that this Triangular Under 14 Tournament will continue as an annual event, and plans are already being set in place for 2014. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their generous support which made this tournament a reality."
Triangular U14 Tournament results:
Glasgow beat Edinburgh by 1 run
Belfast v Edinburgh abandoned
Belfast 179/7 (J Burton 50, M Lightbody 32)
Glasgow 123/9 (H Whiteside 4-22, M Lightbody 2-23)
Belfast beat Glasgow by 56 runs