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Leinster win 8th Consecutive U13 Interpro Title in Rain Affected Competition

Leinster win 8th Consecutive U13 Interpro Title in Rain Affected Competition. Leinster took the Seán Pender Trophy back home with them this year, when they won the U13 Interpro Title on Net Run Rate, which was played in several venues across the North West region. Unfortunately, the competition was heavily affected by the rain. Due to this, there were many shortened games, as well as bowl outs with which to contend.
On Day 1 of the Competition, the rain won the day. As a result, the only play that was possible was bowl outs. In the first game, Munster defeated Leinster 2-0 in a bowl out in Strabane, with Cian Egerton and Jacob Whittaker making the difference. In the other game at Ardmore, the NCU proved to be convincing winners against the North West, winning 4-1 in the other bowl out of the day.

Things looked on the up for play on Day 2, since no team had to contend with a bowl out. However, due to the heavy rain from the previous day, the games were reduced to T20 matches, from the scheduled 40 over competition.
In Ballyspallen, the NCU won their second game in as many days, when they beat the MCU by 61 runs. Batting first, the NCU made 121/6 from their 20 overs, with Matthew Humphreys top scoring with 48 to give the Northerners a good total to defend with. Munster were not able to keep up with the target, with tight performances by Josh Drain (2-5) along with all-rounder Humphries (2-6), restricted the MCU to 60 all out after 19 overs. Mike Higgins made 16 not out for the Munster side.

Over in Limavady, Leinster proved to be convincing winners over the NWCU. Bowling first, Leinster kept the hosts to 54/9 from their 20 overs, with Liam Keating, Ben Brownlee and Hugo Neville taking two wickets each. In reply, Craig MacKay (18) and Andrew Tonge (9) made a winning opening stand of 36, and Leinster knocked off the target in less than 16 overs, in the end making 55/3, and winning by 7 wickets.

It was still all to play for in the final day of the competition, with Leinster needing a big win over the NCU to keep hold of their title. Again, due to the weather, only T20 games were able to be played. In the battle for the title, Matthew Daly top scored with 14 for the NCU. However, they were restricted to 61/9 from their 20 overs. Ben Brownlee was back among the wickets for the LCU, taking 2-2, and was well supported by Tim Tector, who took 2-13. To win the competition, Leinster needed to chase the target of 62 in less than 14.4 overs, and they did this with aplomb. Tim Tector continued his good performance in the game, making 22 not out, as well as Jack McGee contributing 20, for Leinster to make 64/1 in 10.3 overs, winning by 9 wickets, and winning the Seán Pender Trophy for the 8th time on a row.

In the final game of the competition, another bowl out had to be played between the MCU and the NWCU. The hosts improved on their bowl out performance from Day 1, where they defeated Munster 5-3 in a bowl out.
Credit must be given to the NWCU, as well as staff at all of the grounds throughout the week. They were battling the weather and put in some hard work to get any play at all in this competition.

U13 Interpros – Day 1
LCU vs. MCU: Munster won 2-0 in a bowl-out
NCU vs. NWCU: NCU won 4-1 in a bowl out

U13 Interpros – Day 2
LCU vs. NWCU: NWCU- 54/9 (20 Overs) – S. Kennedy 9, S. MacBeth 8; L. Keating 2-5, B. Brownlee 2-7.
LCU- 55/3 (15.3 Overs) – C. MacKay 18, A. Tonge 9; R. Curry 1-3, S. MacBeth 1-10.
Leinster won by 7 Wickets

MCU vs. NCU
NCU- 121/6 (20 Overs) – M. Humphries 48, S. Topping 11; C. Egarton 1-13, L. O’Reilly 1-2.
MCU- 60 All Out (19 Overs) – M. Higgins 16, A. Hicky 8; M. Humphries 2-6, J. Drain 2-5.
North won by 61 runs

U13 Interpros – Day 3
NWCU vs. MCU: North West won 5-3 in a bowl-out

LCU vs. NCU
NCU- 61/9 (20 Overs) – M. Daly 14, J. Drain 9*; B. Brownlee 2-2, T. Tector 2-13.
LCU- 64/1 (10.3 Overs) – T.Tector 22*, J. McGee 20; A. Wylie 1-26.
Leinster won by 9 wickets

Final Table

1. LCU – 2 wins – 8 points – NRR = 1.702
2. NCU – 2 wins – 8 points – NRR = 0.484
3. NWCU – 1 win – 4 points – NRR = -0.848
4. MCU – 1 win – 4 points – NRR = -3.050

Leinster – Under 13 Interpro Winners 2016
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Connaught