Dollar Academy 1st XI have become national champions by winning the Independent Schools T20 Cup sponsored by Citylets. They reached the finals by beating Glenalmond College and Strathallan School in late April in the pool stages and then a Hutchesons Grammar School in the semi final. Merchiston had knocked out both Stewart’s Melville College and Loretto earlier in the season to progress to the finals day.
In front of a large crowd at Stirling Cricket Club, opponents Merchiston Castle won the toss and elected to bowl. Douglas, the Dollar Academy opening batsman, got off to flying start scoring 24 off 13 balls before being bowled by Laytman. Merchiston then put on the squeeze dismissing Cairns, Brett and Keys. A good recovery led by Warr (17), and then latterly by the hard hitting Morris (40) and Hall (21 not out) ensured that Dollar amassed a respectable total of 124. Laytman and Tidy were the pick of the bowlers.
After a short tea break, the Merchiston opening partnership was quickly broken when Bell was caught off Kelly without scoring. Mackintosh batted with confidence and style until he was outdone by Cairns for 27. Merchiston were looking good for a while, and were scoring quickly, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and the pressure eventually got too much for the Merchiston players who were bowled out for 84 in the 12th over, falling 40 runs short of the Dollar total. The fast and accurate bowling of Kelly (3 wickets) and McLaren (3 wickets) was significant and the left arm spin of Douglas (1 wicket )and Cairns (2 wickets) also proved effective, as did the excellent wicket-keeping of the captain, Gus Warr.
This proved a great game to watch and the Dollar team finished the season unbeaten. In this bicentennial year, Dollar Academy is now both CityLets U15 and U18 Scottish schools champions!
