Entertaining Interpro series ends for under-17 girls

The under-17 girls Interpro series came to an end at a hot and sunny Donaghcloney on Friday afternoon at the end of a superb week of cricket that will have been a fantastic experience for the North West side. Unfortunately for the local girls they were unable to repeat their two wins of the previous day as they lost both games to a really impressive Leinster 1 side.

In the day’s first game the NW posted a total of 92-6 from their 20 overs; Zara Craig’s 35 by some way the best of that. Everyone else struggled a touch as Emma McEvoy (2-11) and a couple of run outs restricted the scoring throughout.

The southerners had no problems rattling off the required runs- Ella Pasley batted really well at the top of the order to make 39 not out with Rebecca Gough adding an unbeaten 21 and Joanna Loughran 15. Kenya McCartney was best with the ball for the NW as the Coleraine teenager picked up 2-24, however Leinster reached the target easily to win by 8 wickets.

Game 2 saw the girls bat first again, making 96-8 as the heat really kicked in. Arianna McKenna top scored with 27 while Cody Wallace made 20. Zara added 14 second time around with Katie Dillon (3-14), Georgina Dempsey (2-8) and Anna Marshall (2-14) all among the wickets for Leinster.

Dempsey (44) and Marshall (35) then teamed up with the bat in a 77-run opening partnership that was ended by a stunning catch from Lucy Blair. Despite that, the damage was done in terms of the match and the Leinster girls closed out another impressive 8-wicket verdict.

There can certainly be no disappointment from the North West team who played a full part in an excellent week of sport. It’s an experience that will stand the girls in good stead and we congratulate the players and coaches on their efforts this week.