Barry Chambers / www.cricketeurope.com
Day 1
Leinster and the North West started the Under 15 Interprovincial Series with comprehensive wins against Munster and the NCU at the Stormont grounds in Belfast.
The young Munster batsmen had no answer to the Leinster attack as they were skittled for just 53 in 26.1 overs. Two players managed just double figures – C Andrew with 15 and J Kelly (11) – indeed extras with 16 was the major contribution.
Gareth Delany (3-3), Rory Anders (3-13) were the most successful of the Leinster bowlers, with Andrew Sheridan, Adam Chester, David Delany and David Murphy the other wicket takers.
Sonny Cott and Brian Smyth knocked off the runs in just nine overs – Sonny Cott hitting 5 fours in his 27 not out, with Smyth striking two boundaries in his 20 not out.
In the other game, NCU scored 122, but that represented a recovery as they were in deep trouble at 41 for 6, before Matthew Hurst (39*) and John Matchett (24) brought them a semblance of respectability. Ross Waite (14) was the only other batsman to reach double figures.
All the NW attack bowled well, with Gary McClintock (2-14), Willie McBrine (2-17), Aaron Gillespie (2-18), Aaron Heywood (1-14) and Ross McCay (1-18) the successful bowlers.
In complete contrast to the NCU, the NW batsmen all got starts – Aaron Gillespie (19), Dylan Waterstone (17), and Gary McClintock (15) got their side off to a solid begining.
The Donemana duo of William McClintock (39*) and Willie McBrine (18*) took their team to the six wicket win with plenty left in the tank.
Day 2
Leinster and the North West will face each other in a winner takes all showdown at Stormont on Day 3 after both completed their second comprehensive win on Day 2 of the Under 15 Interprovincial series.
Both games were reduced to 25 overs per side after the second ground was declared unplayable, and batting first Leinster made 148/9 with opener Sonny Cott top scoring with 56. He shared a second wicket stand of 51 with skipper Jack Tector (15), while Nathan Rooney (18) and Lorcan Tucker (15) also chipping in.
Ben McGavock (3-22) and Andrew Forbes (2-29) were the pick of the Northern attack.
In reply, the NCU made a steady start reaching 25 for 0 before the wheels came off in spectacular style, crumbling to 46 for 8, losing 8 wickets for 21 runs.
David Delany, who took 5 wickets in an over in the U13 Irish Cup final last year, was the destroyer-in-chief claiming 4 for 13. Gareth Delany took 2 for 9, while there was a wicket apiece for Lorcan Tucker (1-6) and Fiachra Tucker (1-16).
John Matchett (18), Jack Beattie (14) and Adam Dennison (13) were the only players to reach double figures as their side made a bitterly disappointing 82 all out.
The NCU will face Munster in the battle for the wooden spoon after the Cork men were once again found badly wanting in the batting stakes against the NW.
Replying to the NW score on 158/4, they could only manage 43, with no fewer than 7 players making ducks. Andrew with 18 being the only player to make any impression.
Gary McClintock (2-10) and Ross McCay (2-6) both bowled exceptionally well, with the other wickets being taken by William McBrine, Aaron Heywood, Dylan Waterstone and Craig Peters.
Earlier Aaron Gillespie had made 70 not out (7 fours, 1 six) had been the backbone of their total of 158 for 4, sharing stands of 57 and 60 with Joe Robinson (18) and William McClintock (32).
Day 3
The NW captured the Under 15 Interprovincial trophy when they held their nerve to defeat their Leinster counterparts in a last ball thriller at Stormont.
With three runs needed from the final delivery, Aaron Heywood dismissed Adam Craig to spark scenes of jubilation amongst the players and fans.
The result was particularly tough on Lorcan Tucker who had looked to have brought his side to victory with an unbeaten 82 (6 fours, 2 sixes). He shared stands of 84 with Rory Anders (24) and 51 with Nathan Rooney (29) to take LCU to 147/4 after they had been 12 for 3 at one stage.
Aaron Gillespie (4-40), Ryan McBeth (2-18) and Aaron Heywood (2-25) were best with the ball for the North West as they worked their way through the lower order to restrict Leinster to 170 all out – five players making ducks.
Earlier the McClintock twins had both scored half centuries in the NW total of 172 – Gary hitting 3 fours and a six in his 56, and Gary finding the ropes five times in his 51.
David Murphy (3-35), Adam Craig (2-14) and Rory Anders (2-23) were the most successful of the Leinster attack.
The NCU emerged victorious in the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, defeating Munster comfortably by 82 runs.
Paddy Beverland hit 11 boundaries as he top scored with 60 receiving good support from Craig Kennedy (26), Ross Waite (23), James Mitchell (23), Ben McGavock (17) and Jack Beattie (17) as they made 194.
The Munster batting has struggled all week but here managed at least to inject some respectability as they posted 112 with Azher making 35 and Carey a quickfire 20.
James Mitchell (3-21) again bowled well, with two wickets apiece for Ben McGavock (2-13), John Matchett (2-18) and Thomas Magowan (2-21) – Matthew Hurst (1-20) taking the final wicket.
The Irish youth selectors will now select the squad which will represent Ireland in the Under 15 European Championships in Guernsey from August 5-10.