A magnificent opening partnership between centurions Ryan Hunter and Evan Williams powered MCC XI to a convincing 65-run victory over the NCU Under-19’s.

After electing to bat, MCC's innings was built around a superb first-wicket stand of 203 between the two openers. Hunter top-scored, blasting 128 from 117 balls with 11 fours and three sixes, while Williams struck an equally impressive 100 from just 81 deliveries, including seven fours and five maximums.

The pair dominated the NCU attack before Williams retired unbeaten shortly after reaching his century. Although MCC lost wickets regularly in the closing overs, their total of 275 for 5 always looked formidable.

NCU's reply got off to the worst possible start as Ross Bryans removed both Vidhath Geddam and Sebastian Yeates  leaving the young side reeling at 16 for 2.

Robbie McCollam led the recovery with an excellent 79 from 103 balls, striking five boundaries in a patient innings. David Agnew contributed 26 and Elijah Harte added 22, while the hard-hitting Fintan McCarthy briefly threatened to change the game's momentum with a 14-ball 27 that included three sixes.

However, MCC's bowlers maintained control throughout. Mohit Sane was particularly effective, returning figures of 3 for 25 from his eight overs, while Roger Bolstridge also claimed three wickets. Bryans struck twice with the new ball and Evan Williams completed a fine all-round day by taking two late wickets.

The Under-19s were eventually dismissed for 210 from their allotted 40 overs, leaving MCC comfortable winners by 65 runs.

MCC continue their busy schedule on Thursday when they face the Emerging Warriors in a 40-over fixture at Ardmore.

SCORECARD
MCC XI 
Ryan Hunter b McCollam 128
Evan Williams retired not out 100
Mohit Sane c & b Armstrong 5
Ehtesham Ahmed c Yeates b Agnew 2
James Magowan c Yeates b Kennedy 4
Rizwan Alam b McCarthy 4
Andrew Kirkpatrick not out 1
Richard Simpson not out 1
Extras (b1, lb8, w20, nb1) 30
Total (5 wickets, 40 overs) 275

Fall of wickets:
1-203 (Williams retired not out, 28.3 overs), 1-221 (Sane, 31.2), 2-227 (Ahmed, 33.0), 3-242 (Magowan, 35.3), 4-268 (Hunter, 38.2), 5-274 (Alam, 39.1)

Bowling: Fintan McCarthy 7-0-38-1, Robbie McCollam 4-0-23-1, Jack Smyth 5-1-17-0, Alex Armstrong 8-0-68-1, Jacob McClure-Dalzell 4-0-27-0, Ben Walsh 4-0-36-0, David Agnew 4-0-33-1, Matthew Kennedy 4-0-24-1.

NCU Under-19 
Vidhath Geddam c Hunter b Bryans 0
Sebastian Yeates c Hunter b Bryans 0
Robbie McCollam b Bolstridge 79
David Agnew c Hunter b Sane 26
Jack Smyth b Sane 2
Elijah Harte c Magowan b Sane 22
Jacob McClure-Dalzell c Magowan b Bolstridge 2
Fintan McCarthy c Alam b  Williams 27
Matthew Kennedy not out 4
Alex Armstrong c Williams b Bolstridge 12
Ben Walsh c Alam b Williams 6
Extras (w27, nb3) 30
Total (all out, 40 overs) 210

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Geddam, 0.3 overs), 2-16 (Yeates, 2.1), 3-83 (Agnew, 18.1), 4-89 (Smyth, 20.2), 5-155 (Harte, 31.5), 6-155 (McCollam, 32.2), 7-184 (McCarthy, 35.2), 8-184 (McClure-Dalzell, 36.1), 9-199 (Armstrong, 38.4), 10-210 (Walsh, 40.0).

Bowling: Ross Bryans 5-0-17-2, Harrison Charles 2-0-23-0, Ehtesham Ahmed 3-0-17-0, Mohit Sane 8-0-25-3, Richard Simpson 5-0-21-0, James Colin Magowan 5-0-21-0, James Hunter 3-0-20-0, Roger Bolstridge 6-0-48-3, Evan Williams 3-0-18-2.

Result: MCC XI won by 65 runs.
Umpires: I Houston and A Adams
Scorer: P Searson
Toss: MCC XI won the toss and elected to bat.