The Watford Observer Fourteen14 Shield will be presented for the 49th time this evening when Northchurch meet Kings Langley in the final at West Herts’ Park Avenue ground.

The two clubs come into the final with contrasting league form – Kings are currently 26 points adrift at the bottom of Herts League Division One while their opponents are on track for promotion from Division Three A and have a 31-point advantage at the summit – but reaching the final represents an achievement for both teams.

This is Northchurch’s first appearance in a Watford Observer final while Kings have reached the last stage just twice in their history, the last time coming in 2006 when they beat Hemel Hempstead to win the Shield for the only time in their history.

Kings’ route to the final started with a 20-run victory over Watford Grammar School for Boys in a low-scoring second round tie.

But their two victories since have been much more convincing – a 99-run triumph over Bushey in the quarter-finals before they shocked Radlett by 10 wickets in the last four.

Northchurch’s semi-final victory was also emphatic, but in a different manner as they made an impressive 200 en route to sealing a 64-run win against Abbots Langley.

This victory came following a six-wicket success over Aldenham School in the last eight and a big 120-run win over Watford Town B in their first match in the 14, eight-ball over competition.

This evening’s final is due to start at 6.15pm and all spectators are welcome.