Honours even as North West and NCU Under-14s share victories

The North West and Northern Cricket Union Under-14 sides shared the honours with one victory apiece in an entertaining interprovincial double-header at The Rectory.

The NCU claimed the opening game by seven runs after posting 140 for nine from their 20 overs.

Callum Lowe was the cornerstone of the innings, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 69 from just 43 deliveries. His attacking knock gave the visitors momentum throughout, while Owen McMillan provided valuable support with a rapid 34 containing six fours and a six.

The North West attack kept taking wickets to prevent the total from getting out of reach, with Faulkner and Gamble claiming two apiece.

The hosts made a positive start to their reply as Harry Coyle scored 15 and Max McSparron struck an impressive 45. McSparron found the boundary six times and also cleared it once as the North West established a useful platform.

Karthik Shukla then kept the chase alive with a brisk 36, including five fours, but the NCU bowlers held their nerve during the closing overs.

Ezra De Silva and Hridaan Salian took two wickets each as the North West finished on 133 for six, seven runs short of their target.

The second contest was equally competitive, but this time the North West emerged with a five-wicket victory with only two deliveries remaining.

Batting first again, the NCU made 117 for eight. Lowe continued his outstanding day by top-scoring with 58, striking seven fours and one six to complete back-to-back half-centuries.

Bangor’s Michael Girvan added 23, but the North West attack made an immediate breakthrough through Isaac Smyth.

Smyth struck twice in the opening over and went on to finish with excellent figures of three for 21. Fox Lodge’s William McGerrigle also impressed, claiming two wickets to help restrict the visitors.

The North West chase was built around a decisive third-wicket partnership of 61 between Coyle and Shukla.

Coyle led the way with 44, hitting six boundaries, while Shukla followed his useful contribution in the opening match with 38.

Their stand placed the hosts firmly in control, although a late cluster of wickets created some tension before they reached the target with two balls remaining.

The two sides will renew their rivalry in another pair of T20 matches at Campbell College on Friday.