Impressive exploits of 15-year-old trio add sheen to Mazars Grange title triumph
It is some 23 years since football pundit Alan Hansen famously claimed “you can’t win anything with kids” – and someone clearly forgot to tell CSL Eastern Premier Division cricket champions Mazars Grange that this summer.
When the Portgower Place men clinched the title on Saturday with a 138-run win over closest rivals Heriot’s they had three 15-year-olds in their XI.
And wicketkeeper/batsman Tom Mackintosh and spin bowlers Charlie Peet and Jamie Cairns were not just at Goldenacre to make up the numbers, they were selected by coach John Blain and captain Preston Mommsen on merit and have appeared in the top team regularly in 0 Tom Mackintosh: Inspired by first-team challenge.
recent months. Despite their tender years, the trio have certainly not looked out of place this term alongside seasoned team-mates.
They have had experienced players around them and come into a winning environment, but they have shown very few nerves and a willingness to learn. The 0 Charlie Peet: Introduced to Grange by his father Nick.
cricket does not stop for the exciting up-and-coming talent, with Merchiston Castle’s Mackintosh playing down in London this week for the Scotland Performance Academy, while Stewart’s Melville College’s Peet and Dollar Academy’s Cairns are on Scotland under-15 duty.
The young Scots play the 0 Jamie Carins: Ready to go on Scotland Under-15 duty.
Royal London ECB under 15 County Cup final against Oxfordshire at Denstone College tomorrow.
Then Mackintosh, Peet and Cairns will all head back north and hope to be involved in Sunday’s rearranged Citylets Scottish Cup final for their club against Heriot’s in Paisley.
Having been born and brought up in Spain and South Africa, Mackintosh is a member of the Durham Academy. He said: “Being exposed to some first-team cricket with Grange this year has been brilliant.
“I don’t feel nervous playing at that level because there are so many experienced players around me and I see it as more of a challenge really.
“The team spirit is great and we all have a laugh.”
Peet explained how his father’s influence played a big part in his rise. “I have been around the Grange club for many years because my dad Nick used to play there and then he started to coach the juniors, so I got involved then and I haven’t really looked back.
“I have been lucky enough to be involved in Premier Division matches this season and it is quite an easy team to come into with so many good players around you.”
Earlier in the summer when Dollar Academy were crowned the 2018 Secondary Schools S1-3 T20 champions, Cairns was named player of the tournament and he has done well on an even bigger stage with Grange.
Grange’s Preston Mommsen said of the three young players. “They have contributed a lot when required and have shown maturity beyond their years, so when I reminisce about this league triumphinyearstocomethepart they played and their contribution will be at the front of my mind.
“We have a great Academy in place at Grange headed up by John Blain and we are always keen to bring through young players into senior cricket when we can and we feel the time is right.”