In all the years I have watched cricket in the North East, there is one competition above all that still excites and stirs the emotions, and yet for some reason, the Aberdeenshire Cup Final fails to bring in the crowds that its rich history and status merits on what should be one of the red letter days of the game.
All the more so, given that the final is traditionally held at Mannofield, one of the finest tracks and grounds in Scotland, making it in my book a Mecca for the sport in the Aberdeen area.
This year the splendid cup, now 139 years old, will be contested by Master Blasters and Knight Riders who having both won Grade 1 in recent seasons, will no doubt be keen to hold the Aberdeenshire Cup aloft when the two meet in the 40 over final on Sunday August 24th at 1pm.
For those who like their statistics, and most cricketers do, no less than different 26 sides have triumphed since it was first played for. The winners include, shipping companies, the Navy and sadly other clubs no longer playing. Knight Riders have perfected the 40 over cup match having won the cup for the last 2 seasons, in part thanks to successive player of the match performances from Somu Kumarasamy. Can he do it a 3rd time?
Thanks to the enterprise of the board of the SCIO, the cup has recently been refurbished, giving it extra appeal for the opposing captains of Master Blasters and Knight Riders.
If recent finals are any guide, those attending can expect a cracker of a game, including the usual thrills and spills, even a little edge normally associated with such occasions, demanding the highest standard of umpiring, which has been on view over the years. My best wishes to the respective skippers Siva Palaniappan of Knight Riders and Pehlaj Tenneti of Master Blasters, the latter hoping not to have scored all his runs for the weekend with a century on Saturday.
So even if your team is not involved get yourself and friends along to one of the big days of North East cricket when you can watch top class fare, while taking the chance to discuss the big topics of the sport, including the status of the national team, and not least the wonderful recent Test series between England and India.
I am hoping to be there when I can catch up with my many old and not so old friends in my favourite sport.