Harry Tector fell one run short of a half century as he led Leinster to a three wicket win over the Southern XI on the opening day of action in the Under 15’s Inter-Provincial Series.
The YMCA all-rounder hit the winning runs to finish 49 not out as Leinster chased down the target of 193 with 6.5 overs to spare after he had taken 3-11 in his ten overs to restrict the Southern XI to 192 all out.
Ian Anders, JJ Garth and Andrew Vincent picked up two wickets each as Sufyan Khan was left stranded on 41 not out when the final wicket fell. The Southern XI had been 103-6 before Khan was joined at the crease by Andrew Brawders, he wasted no time racing to 44 in just 21 balls in a 55-run partnership.
The score of 192 was always going to be difficult to defend for the Southern XI, but they made Leinster work hard for the win, Aaron Cawley and Aaron O’Neill taking two wickets a piece as Leinster lost seven wickets on their way to the target.
The other game held today saw the NCU face the North-West in Malahide, with the North-West falling agonisingly short of their target to hand the NCU a 17 run victory.
Callum Gibson smashed 81 in just 54 balls while John Glass made an unbeaten 78 as the NCU posted a formidable target of 255 for the North-West.
While the North-West seemed to have little problems keeping up with the required run rate, they had more trouble keeping their wickets and it soon became apparent they would find it difficult to reach the target when they were still 49 runs short as the ninth wicket fell.
A valiant effort from the tail saw the North-West take the game to the final over with just 18 needed to win, but it was not to be as the last wicket fell giving the NCU a valuable win on the opening day of the three-day series.
The NCU will now face fellow victors Leinster tomorrow, with the North-West facing the Southern XI before a final round of fixtures on Wednesday.
Pic: NWCU
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