James West produced a fine all-round display as the NCU beat Leinster by four wickets in the Under 15 interprovincial at Upritchard Park.

He took two wickets to help restrict Leinster to 97 for 6, with runs for Bruce Whaley (23) and Robert O’Brien (20).

He then top-scored with 29 as the NCU edged home with an over to spare – runs too for Mark Hanna (24). For Leinster, Ethan Marshall and Seb Dijkstra each claimed two wickets.

The second match of the weekend was abandoned, with the NCU ell placed on 40 for 1 in the 6th over.
The NCU secured a quite remarkable win over their Leinster counterparts in the first of their Under 17 interprovincial clashes this week.

It looked bleak for the hosts as they were bundled out for just 66 at Pirrie Park, with Harry Dyer top-scoring with 17, Yash Bala (4-15), and Daniel Forkin (2-8) doing the damage for the ball.

Any thoughts the chase would be a routine one were soon dispelled as the NCU reduced them to 22 for 7.

Phillipe Le Roux (22*) and Luke Thomson (23) looked to salvage things with a stand of 31, but the hosts held their nerve to seal a dramatic five-run win in the final over.

The NCU bowling unit bowled superbly with two wickets each for Carson McCullough, Harry Dyer, Angus Farrell and John Speers.

The second match of the afternoon was abandoned with Leinster 140 for 4 – half centuries for Aaron Doyle and Mark Canniffe.

The 15s and 17s will meet again on Wednesday when they play 40 overs matches at Balbriggan and North County.