North West Girls made the perfect start to their interprovincial campaign with a convincing 36-run victory over Leinster at Bready, thanks largely to an outstanding century partnership between Jodie Spence and Emily Young.

After being asked to bat first, the hosts suffered an early setback when Ella Wasson was dismissed in only the second over. However, any concerns were quickly eased as the in-form Spence and Young combined in a superb second-wicket stand worth 128 runs in 21 overs to seize control of the contest.

Playing on her home ground, Spence continued her excellent run of form with a top score of 67 from 73 deliveries, striking six boundaries in a composed innings. She found the perfect ally in Bonds Glen batter Emily Young, who contributed a classy 59 from 79 balls, including four fours, as the pair laid the foundations for a formidable total.

Late contributions added further momentum. Bready's Mansi Bhavsar struck a brisk run-a-ball 16, while Emily's younger sister Rihanna produced a lively cameo of 10 from just nine balls - certainly not needing her umbrella-ell-ella on a scorching afternoon in County Tyrone as the North West posted 178 for 7 from their 30 overs.

Leinster began their chase positively through Sarah Prendergast and Aadita Subramanya Ramnathpur, but the innings unravelled dramatically as North West turned the screw. Three run-outs, combined with wickets for Jodie Spence, Anna McGurk and Abbey-Gale McGarrigle, reduced the visitors to 61 for 6 and left them facing an uphill battle.

To their credit, Leinster refused to surrender. Sana George produced an excellent unbeaten half-century, finishing on 50 with seven boundaries, while Clontarf's Annabel Walsh made an unbeaten 37 from 38 balls, including three fours.

Their unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 81 restored respectability to the scorecard, but the result was never seriously in doubt as North West completed a deserved victory.

The win gives the hosts an excellent start to the series ahead of Thursday's clash with the NCU in Downpatrick, before Leinster face the NCU in Balbriggan on Friday.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Orr/NWCU and Naomi Scott-Hayward/LCU