The Under 15 Inter-Provincial Championship got underway yesterday with a shock win for the Southern XI over defending champions Leinster the highlight of a wet day during which the groundstaff who made play possible must take the biggest applause.
Seanan Jones and Justin Martin-Kavanagh both made 33, Jones being not out, as the Southern XI made 124-7 after their 29 overs after the weather caused a reduced game at Saintfield. Stuart Jackson took three for 16 for Leinster as went into the break feeling confident of an opening day win.
With Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) adding a few runs to the total, Leinster set off in pursuit of a still modest 134 to win, but the Southern XI showed just how well they had batted in the first innings as, Isaac Whittaker (2-19), Jalal Hussain (2-20) and Jamie McNulty (2-14) took two wickets each bowling Leinster out for 114, with SJ de Klerk (22) and Gavin Hoey (24) the only batters to provide any real resistance.
In the other opening day game the NCU faced the NWCU at North Down CC in Comber with Reece Malone the star of the show as he made 78 for the NCU as they posted, and subsequently defended 191-8 from their 35 overs.
Marcus Poskett made 35 as the North-West started their reply, but Bradley McNamara took three wickets for 24 to ensure that the NCU were 26 runs behind on DLS when their 26 overs were completed, despite a late flurry from Gregory McFaul who made an unbeaten 29 from just 13 balls.
The series continues today as the North-West face Leinster and the NCU take on the Southern XI.
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Connaught
