AYR Storm U14 boys knew they had a tough task in the clubs first ever cup final at this age group - as they were facing unbeaten league winners and Scottish National Challenge winners Stirling Knights.

However led by the ball control of captain Jackson Tindle and the energy of Charlie Dorward, the team opened up brightly and scored the opening basket then hustled Knights into mistakes and after five minutes Ayr still led 6-4.

Knights called a timeout and switched to a full court press and forced a number of Ayr turnovers and finished the period the stronger team and taking period one 8-14. The second period was very much more of the same - Storm opened the brighter, troubled the favourites and Knights recovered and finished the stronger taking period two by 9-19.This seemed to take some confidence out the young Ayr side as in offence they struggled to find a basket in P3 while their defence was leaking shots from all areas. Period Four was a much better performance as the team started to win rebounds and put shots away and had their best period at 13-19 but the damage of period three 2:28 showed why Knights came into this game as favourites. FT: Ayr Storm 32 Stirling Knight 80

Post game the coaching team of David Matthewson and Craig Tindle said: "We are really impressed with the work the boys have shown today and over the season. Apart from the third quarter, we were competitive. We were playing the number one team in Scotland at the moment so it was always going to be tough. The squad has shown that teamwork over the season can produce results and getting to the final was their reward."

Ayr U14 boys squad: J Tindle (4pts), H Dorward (2), F Reid (3), H Smyth (2), R Bell, S McCracken (5), C Dorward (8) L Sgarlata (4), A Akar (2), E Bishop, K McIntosh, J Sanger (2).