Carlton Under 15s will be hoping to do Scotland proud on Saturday, when they compete in the ECB Vitality U15s Club T20 Final at the Home of Cricket.
The Arrows have seen off eight opponents to reach the showpiece final, triumphing in the Scottish region with a victory over Gordonians in the final, before going on to win the ‘North’ region by defeating Derbyshire side Eckington at York CC.
That set up a National Semi-Final meeting with Leamington CC at Elsecar, with Carlton sealing a 16 run win to earn their place at Lord’s on September 2.
They will face Banstead CC (Surrey) in the Final, with a chance to create history.
Carlton CC Under 15s Head Coach Charles Stronarch said: “Two years ago this group got to the regional stage and lost, so to win the final, we were happy with that. They just kept going, and somehow we’re now at Lord’s!
“It’s showing all the juniors here what we can do. When we play the teams when we go down south, we’re not scared anymore, they know that we can beat them, so it’s just giving so much confidence to everyone at Carlton.
“Grange made it to the final a few years ago, but they didn’t get to play at Lord’s unfortunately. For a Scottish team to win at Lord’s would be amazing, Freuchie did it in the Village Cup, but we’d be the first junior team, so we’ll be hoping to do Scotland proud.
“So many friends and family are desperate to come down and watch, so hopefully they’ll be a good number down there to cheer us on.”
Carlton Director of Cricket Steven Gilmour added: “It’s huge for the club, which was a very long history and takes a lot of pride in the junior section.
“A lot of hard work goes into the junior section from a huge number of volunteers around the club, so it’s a huge honour to get the opportunity to go and play at Lord’s.
“These guys that have played in the team so far this year thoroughly deserve it, they’re a great wee team and everyone at the club is going to be right behind them, supporting them and very proud of their achievements already.
“If we can go one more, it’ll be even more exciting for the club!”
