Two wins in two days kept the Northern Cricket Union's Under-16 girls firmly on course for the title as they followed Thursday's emphatic victory over the North West with a commanding 59-run success against Cricket Leinster in Balbriggan.

After being asked to bat, the NCU built their innings around a series of useful contributions to post an imposing 178 for 6 from their 30 overs. Openers Lucie Harper and Eva Cupitt laid the perfect platform with a sparkling opening stand of 46 inside the first six overs.

Harper set the tone with an aggressive 32 from just 20 deliveries, peppering the boundary with seven fours, before Cupitt anchored the innings with a well-crafted 40 that included three boundaries. Matilda McCartney maintained the momentum, striking four fours in a brisk 26, while Nina Kerr provided the late fireworks, blasting an unbeaten 23 from only 13 balls, finding the rope five times. Isolde Ní Dhónaill was Cricket Leinster's most economical bowler, finishing with 2 for 14.

Leinster never seriously threatened the target despite Aadita Ramnathpur's determined 35 and Susie Whaley's 23. The chase gradually lost momentum against a disciplined NCU attack.

Katie West starred with the ball, claiming 3 for 13, while Holly Faulkner matched her effort with 3 for 15 as Leinster were dismissed for 119 in 27.2 overs.

The comprehensive victory completed an impressive unbeaten opening two days for the NCU, whose balanced batting and incisive bowling have marked them out as early tournament favourites.

U16 Women Interpro 30 overs: Cricket Leinster lost to NCU by 59 runs.
Balbriggan, 26 June.
NCU 178-6 (30 overs; Eva Cupitt 40, Lucie Harper 32, M McCartney 26, Nina Kerr 23*; Isolde Ní Dhónaill 2-14)
Cricket Leinster 119 (27.2 overs; Aadita Ramnathpur 35, Susie Whaley 23; Katie West 3-13, Holly Faulkner 3-15)