The 2006 European Under 15 Championships were held in Herning Denmark with the hosts being joined by the usual protagonists, defending champions Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands.

The opening day matches went very much according to form with Scotland beating the Danes by 90 runs. Richie Lamb top scored with an unbeaten 72 as the young Scots posted 182 for 5. Craig Ramsay then took 5 for 12 and Lamb two wickets as Denmark struggled to 92.

Scotland's Chris Hunt is run out by Ali Shah of Denmark (©CricketEurope)

Ireland’s top seven all made double figures as they posted 208 for 9 against The Netherlands – Lee Nelson top scored with 41, while Shane Getkate (34) and Andy Balbirnie (33) also chipped in. Tim Gruijters was the best of the bowlers with four wickets. In reply The Netherlands made 115 – two wickets apiece for Nick Donnell, Keith Allen and Nelson.

The second day also went to plan with the Celtic nations once again exerting their power with similar wins. Ramsay was again amongst the wickets as Scotland dismissed The Netherlands for 105 – Aman Bailwal and Matt Bremner picking up two apiece. Chris Hunt (28), Oli Hairs (24) and Calvin Burnett (23*) all chipping in as they won by five wickets.

This shot brought about the dismissal of Tim Gruitjers of The Netherlands against Scotland (©CricketEurope)

Denmark – helped by the Irish bowling 30 wides – posted 162 for 9, with Paul Stirling taking three wickets and Michael Heaney – who also played rugby for Ireland at under age level – taking two. Stirling (50) and Balbirnie (33) got the Irish reply off to a strong start, but a mid-innings wobble had them in trouble before Matt D’Arcy hit 43 not out in a four wicket win, to set up an all too-familiar last day winner-takes-all clash with Scotland.

Rain saw the game reduced to 31 overs, and the Irish made 139 for 8, with Lee Nelson making 30, and 24 apiece for Heaney and Stirling – Paddy Sadler (3-26) the best of the bowlers. Scotland’s chase never materialized as they were skittled for just 43, with the scorecard having a distinctly binary look as nine players scored either 0 or 1! Michael Heaney again spearheaded the attack with three wickets, while there two apiece for Keith Allen, Shane Getkate and Graham McDonnell.

Richie Lamb of Scotland is bowled by Shane Getkate of Ireland (©CricketEurope)

The Netherlands avoided the wooden spoon as they beat Denmark convincingly – Tim Gruijters taking five wickets as they won by 86 runs. Those wickets meant Gruijters finished leading wicket taker in the tournament (10), and he was also named Player of the Tournament.

Three of the Irish would go on to play senior international cricket, with Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling also playing Test cricket. Four of the Netherlands squad would play senior international, while no fewer than five of the Scotland squad achieved higher honours, including Safyaan Sharif who would take the final wicket as they beat England in an ODI.

The winning Ireland squad with the trophy (©CricketEurope)