The 2005 European Division One Under 23 tournament took place in Deventer, The Netherlands, and featured the usual protagonists, the hosts, Ireland, Scotland and Denmark.

Unusually for the European competitions of the time, the organisers broke with tradition and pitted the two traditionally strongest sides against each other on the opening day with Scotland and Ireland meeting.

Four wickets for Richie Berrington and three for Umair Mohammed had the Irish in deep trouble and it took 59 from Kevin O’Brien plus 44 extras to get them up to 147.

It looked as if it would be enough as Scotland too struggled to score but 33 from Qasim Sheikh saw them fall over the line, winning by one wicket off the penultimate ball, 33 wides conceded by Ireland proving decisive despite David Simpson’s three wickets.

The other opening day game was also keenly contested and low scoring – Eric Szwarcynski making 30 as The Netherlands chased 116 to beat Denmark by two wickets. Johan Malcolm-Hansen’s 31 not out and 3 for 11 in ten overs were in vain.

It was a similar tale on day two with Scotland edging out the hosts by two wickets in a rain-affected low scoring affair. Gert-Marten Mol hit 38 as The Netherlands made 124 – two wickets apiece for Sean Weeraratna and Mohammed. Scotland’s batting was steady and they did enough as Berrington’s 20 not out saw them win despite the best efforts of Mol who took three wickets.

Ireland trounced the Danes in the other game , with Gary Wilson – who had made his senior debut two months previously and John Mooney (who had 17 senior caps) both hitting half centuries as they posted 192 for 3 in their 30 overs. Opener Zeeshan Shah made 36 out of the Danish total of 66, as Gary Kidd and David Simpson took two wickets each in the one-sided affair.

Scotland duly clinched the trophy on the final day as they skittled the Danes for 43 in one of the most amazing collapses in European tournament history as they went from 31 for 0 to 43 all out! Umair Mohammed 5-5 and Gordon Goudie 4-5 doing the damage. The nine wicket win was duly achieved with the minimum of fuss.

In the race for the runners-up slot The Netherlands and Ireland played an exciting game which ebbed and flowed throughout. Alex Kervezee (48) and Gert Mol (41) took The Netherlands to 173 for 5 and they looked destined for a total well in excess of 220 but Kevin O’Brien’s five-wicket haul saw them collapse to 187 all out – three wickets too for Gary Kidd. O’Brien’s 74 ensured Ireland won by three wickets with William Porterfield (22), Conor Mullen (20) and Kenny Carroll (14*) all chipping in.

O Brien’s 141 runs was the highest aggregate in the run charts, while Umair Mohammed’s ten wickets saw him top the bowling charts.