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The NCU took all the honours this year when they won the U17 Interprovincial Title in Dublin this week.
The NCU took all the honours this year when they won the U17 Interprovincial Title in Dublin this week.

On Day 1 of the Competition, the NCU began their campaign against a heavily fancied Leinster side at the Hills CC.
Batting first, Leinster made 126 all out, from 31.1 overs. Jamie Grassi top scored with 47 while opening the innings. He also had the support of Conor O’Gorman in the middle order, who made 20 runs. However, wickets fell throughout their innings, with the last 4 wickets falling for just 11 runs. Matthew Foster took 3-33 from 7 overs, with the support of Charlie Shannon and Morgan Topping, who took 2 wickets each. In reply, the NCU had a poor start. Josh Little took 2 early wickets, along with Harry Tector taking the other top order wicket, to have the NCU at 20/3 in 13 overs. But some solid middle order batting from Jos McKonkey (53), along with Jack Burton, who chipped in with 19 runs, helped the NCU to cruise through to 127/6 with 12 overs to spare, and won by 4 wickets.

A change in venue on Day 2, where the NCU looked to beat their North West rivals to win the competition with one game left to play at North County CC. The North West batted first after losing the toss. Graeme Kennedy made 51(67) to contribute to the North West making a steady start to their innings. However, a middle order collapse of 5-26 put them on the back foot, going from 106/3 to 132/8. Charlie Shannon was the danger man for the NCU, who took 3-29 from his 10 overs. This restricted the North West to 151 all out in 42.3 overs. While chasing the target, the NCU were 60/4, with Varun Chopra taking 3-20 from his 10 overs. But an unbeaten partnership of 76 between James McClean (56*) and Jack Burton (57*) batted the NCU to152/4 in just 32.3 overs. The NCU won by 6 wickets, and at the same time winning the 2016 Interpro title.

In the 3rd and the final game of the competition, the North West faced Leinster in Rush CC. Winning the toss, an opening partnership of 53 between Matthew Hutchinson (42) and Mark McCloskey (33) gave the North West the perfect start. But when this partnership was broken, the North West could not live with the Leinster bowling attack. Josh Little ripped through the lower order, taking the last 4 wickets while the North West only added 15 runs to their total. The left armer finished with bowling figures of 4-26 from 8.5 overs. The North West finished with 158 all out from 47.5 overs. The entertainment didn’t finish there for Leinster supporters at the game. Jamie Grassi smashed a rapid hundred to have the hosts winning by 9 wickets. Grassi ended up with 110(67) with Varun Chopra taking the wicket of the North County youngster after a scintillating innings. Leinster chased the target, and made 159/1 from just 22 overs, with Sam Murphy finishing on 42*.

Many thanks must be given to The Hills CC, Rush CC as well as North County CC, who made their grounds available to have this competition take place.

U17 Interpros – Day 1
LCU vs. NCU
LCU- 126 All Out (31.1 Overs) – J. Grassi 47, C. O’Gorman; M. Foster 3-33, C. Shannon 3-16
NCU- 127/5 (38 Overs) – J. McKonkey 53, J. Burton 19; J. Little 2-15, D. Brogan 2-18
NCU won by 4 Wickets

U17 Interpros – Day 2
NCU vs. NWCU
NWCU- 151 All Out (42.3 Overs) – J. Kennedy 51, M. Hutchinson 30; C. Shannon 3-29
NCU- 152/4 (35.5 Overs) – J. McClean 56*, J. Burton 57*; V. Chopra 3-20
NCU win by 4 Wickets

U17 Interpros – Day 3
LCU vs. NWCU
NWCU- 158 All Out (47.5 Overs) – M. Hutchinson 42, M/ McCloskey 22 ; J. Little 4-16, C. O’Gorman 2-26
LCU- 159/1/1 (22 Overs) – J. Grassi 110, S. Murphy 42*; V. Chopra 1-42
Leinster won by 9 Wickets

Worthy Winners – NCU U17
Yes
Connaught