Under-17 girls bounce back with impressive Interpro display

The North West under-17 girls are back in the hunt for Interpro honours after they won both their games against the NCU at Coleraine on Tuesday. Having lost twice to Leinster 2 on Tuesday this was an excellent recovery from the girls with particular mention for Kara Bates who had a sensational day with the ball.

The Fox Lodge teenager claimed stunning figures of 9-24 across the two matches; taking 4-12 in the morning game and following that up with 5-12 in the afternoon. The latter haul also included a hat-trick to put the icing on the cake of a day Kara won’t forget in a hurry.

Game 1 turned out to be a comfortable success as an unbeaten 38 from Cody Wallace and 26 from Kia McCartney helped the North West to a total of 102-2 from their 20 overs. Sam Todd’s 20 at the top of the order gave the visitors hope before Kara and Zara Craig (3-4 from 4 overs), and a couple of wickets for Lucy Carmichael saw the NCU girls all out for 65.

The second match was much closer even though the NW increased their score to 120-2 this time around. Zara batted superbly, hitting 56 not out from 59 balls to provide the perfect start and the Eglinton player got good support from Kara who added 19 and Ariana McKenna (15).

Sam Todd was again in top form for the Belfast side as she hit 8 fours and a six in an excellent unbeaten 55. Sam and Sophie Hinds (20) put on 59 for the first wicket as the NCU threatened to level it up, before Kara’s superb spell turned the game on its head and the away side were all out for 109- just 11 short in a really good contest.

It’s back to Donaghcloney tomorrow at the end of a busy week where the girls will meet Leinster 1 in two games to finish a really good series.