North West uder-15 girls win on the double
The North West under-15 girls kicked off their Interpro campaign on Tuesday morning when they welcomed the NCU under-15 girls to a sun-drenched Donemana Cricket Club for two T20 matches.
The visitors were given an excellent start from opening bowler Cara Rainey in the first game as she took two wickets in the first two balls of the game. With the home side struggling, Donemana girl Charley Scott came to the middle and batted superbly to make 52 not out; clearly enjoying conditions at her home club. Eglinton’s Jenny Jackson supported Charley really well finishing the game on 23 not out as the North West innings closed on 93-3.
When it came their turn to field, the hosts never let the opposition settle. Captain for the day Kia McCartney was the pick of the attack, claiming 3 wickets for just 5 runs from her 4 overs. Her Coleraine team mate Hannah Skinner also picked up 3 wickets, including two in two balls followed which were followed by a run out next ball. The NCU girls could only manage 45 in total, meaning a well deserved 48-run victory for the North West.
The home team won the toss and decided to have a bat in Game 2. The NCU girls bowled really well first up with Lucy Lee returning figures of 4-15 from her 4 overs. Lucy Neely topped scored with the bat making a quick 22, and some really good cameos down the order from Georgia Miller, Sophie Hamilton and Mansi Bhasvar saw the home side posting 105 from their 20 overs.
Once again it was skipper Kia McCartney who did the damage with the ball, the off-spinner managing figures of 4-7 off 4 overs finishing her day with brilliant overall figures off 7-12 off 8 overs. Only opener Emma Bond managed to get to double figures for the visitors- she made 25 before she was excellently run-out from a direct hit from Charley Scott. Charley and Lucy Thompson also picked up 2 wickets apiece leaving NCU bowled out for 56 meaning the North West completed an excellent double on the day.
The under 15-boys had a less convincing day as they lost to both Leinster and the NCU in their double header in Belfast. Aaron Doyle made 114 for the LCU as they set a target of 181 in the first game and the North West lads could only manage 79-8 in reply.
A century stand for the first wicket between Ryan Hunter and Finn Lutton saw the day’s second game, this one against the NCU, go much the same way. The hosts went even bigger thanks to some heavy late scoring- finally making 211-4 from their allotted 20. Gavin Roulston hit an unbeaten half century for the NW but they still finished 100 short.
Wednesday sees the two girls teams meet again for another double header of T20s which are taking place in Campbell College. Good luck to both teams again for those matches.
