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NCU Youth Cricket 2026
NCU Section 1
Bangor v Armagh - abandoned.
Upritchard Park, 17 May.
Armagh 196-9 (40 overs; M Steenson 81, L Liebenberg 49, B Mackey 23; A Farrell 4-28, C Pyper 2-30)
Bangor 1-1 (0.4 overs) (Rain interrupted - Bangor target 180 off 33 overs)
Armagh’s hopes of a first NCU Section One win of the season were washed away by heavy rain after their clash with Bangor was abandoned with the hosts just four balls into the chase. Asked to bat first, Armagh recovered impressively from a shaky 35 for 4 to post a competitive 196 for 9 from their 40 overs. Matthew Steenson anchored the rescue effort superbly, striking 81 from 94 balls with nine fours and two sixes in a composed innings under pressure. He shared a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 81 with overseas professional Luan Liebenberg, who counter-attacked with 49 from 52 deliveries, including seven boundaries. Steenson then added another valuable partnership with Ben Mackey, whose 23 helped push the total towards 200. Bangor’s new-ball pair Angus Farrell and Chris Pyper were the pick of the bowlers, Farrell claiming 4 for 28 while Pyper returned 2 for 30. Liebenberg struck immediately in reply, dismissing Seb Yeates in the opening over, but persistent rain soon ended play in frustrating fashion for both sides.
NCU Women's Premier League
Waringstown lost to Holywood by 62 runs.
The Lawn, 17 May.
Holywood 174-1 (20 overs; Madison Landsman 115, Christina Soulsby 37, Erin Bind 13*)
Waringstown 112-9 (20 overs; Naomi Matthews 25, Penny Speer 23, Sophie Hinds 20; M Landsman 3-18, Erin Bond 2-17)
Madison Landsman and Lara Maritz (CricketEurope)
Holywood produced a statement performance as they swept aside defending champions Waringstown Women by 62 runs after a dominant all-round display inspired by skipper Madison Landsman. Holywood piled up an imposing 174-1 from their 20 overs, with Landsman in devastating form. The captain hammered an unbeaten 115 from just 61 balls, peppering the boundary with 11 fours and three sixes in a superb innings that took the game away from the hosts. She shared a commanding 113-run stand with Christina Soulsby, who contributed a composed 37, before adding a further 61 in the final four overs alongside Erin Bond, who finished unbeaten on 13. The only breakthrough for Waringstown came when Lucia Derby claimed the sole wicket of the innings. Facing a daunting chase, Waringstown were always struggling to keep pace with the required rate and eventually closed on 112-9. Captain Naomi Matthews top-scored with 25, while Penny Speer made 23 and Sophie Hinds added 20. Landsman capped a memorable outing by taking 3-18, with Bond claiming 2-17 as Holywood cruised to an impressive victory that outlines their title credentials.
NCU Women's Premier League
Muckamore beat Instonians by 11 runs
Moylena, 17 May.
Muckamore 141-6 (20 overs; Beth McCrea 31, Rebekah Mairs 23*; Sanvi Vinothkumar 3-40)
Instonians 130-4 (20 overs; Anna Ellerby 47*, Matilda McCartney 36)
Muckamore edged a tense contest at Moylena by 11 runs as Instonians were left to rue a costly number of extras in a closely-fought encounter. Batting first, Muckamore posted 141-6 from their 20 overs, with Beth McCrea leading the way with 31, striking four boundaries in a lively innings at the top of the order. Rebekah Mairs then provided an important late flourish, finishing unbeaten on 23 from just 16 balls, including three fours. However, the defining contribution to the innings came from Instonians’ indiscipline with the ball. Muckamore were gifted 46 extras, including a remarkable 36 wides, and those additional runs ultimately proved decisive. Sanvi Vinothkumar was the pick of the bowlers claiming 3-40. Instonians battled hard in reply and looked in contention for much of the chase thanks to an excellent third-wicket partnership of 66 between Anna Ellerby and Matilda McCartney. Ellerby anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 from 45 balls, while McCartney made an aggressive 36 from 25 deliveries, hitting five boundaries. Despite their efforts, Instonians closed on 130-4, just short of their target.
NCU Women's Premier League
CSNI lost to Lisburn by 27 runs
Stormont, 17 May.
Lisburn 131-7 (20 overs; Talia Hurley 80; Vanessa Minford 2-14, Katie West 2-36)
CSNI 104-8 (20 overs; Jemma Gillan 29; Talia Hurley 2-13, Amelia Hughes 2-17, Lucy Andrews 2-19)
Talia Hurley was the match winner for Lisburn (Lisburn CC)
An outstanding all-round display from overseas player Talia Hurley guided Lisburn to a convincing 27-run victory over CSNI in the Women's Premiership. Hurley dominated the Lisburn innings with a superb 80 from 60 balls, striking 14 boundaries in a commanding knock that formed the backbone of her side’s total of 131-7 from 20 overs. While wickets fell regularly around her, the New Zealander kept the scoreboard moving throughout with a mixture of timing and aggression. CSNI fought back well with the ball, led by Vanessa Minford and Katie West, who both claimed two wickets. Minford’s accurate spell earned figures of 2-14, while West picked up 2-36. In reply, CSNI never quite managed to build the momentum required in the chase. Captain Jemma Gillan top-scored with a steady 29, but regular wickets left the home side struggling to keep pace with the asking rate. Hurley then capped a memorable performance by taking 2-13 to help derail the chase, while Lucy Andrews and Amelia Hughes also collected two wickets apiece as CSNI closed on 104-8.
Reddam House lost to NCU Women Under 18 by 7 wickets.
Constantia, 13 February.
Reddam House 77 (16 overs; Lucy Andrews 6-11)
NCU Women Under 18 78-3 (12 overs; N Lowry 23*)
Reddam House lost to NCU Women Under 16 by 71 runs
Constantia, 13 February.
NCU Women Under 16 141-8 (20 overs; N Kerr 36, E Cupitt 26)
Reddam House 70-8 (20 overs; Emma Kennedy 4 for 15 **Including a Hat Trick**)
1st T20: Catch Trust XI lost to NCU Women Under 18 by 23 runs.
Khayelitsha, 11 February.
NCU Women Under 18 138-9 (20 overs; Grace Wilson 30, N Lowry 20; A Pita 3-43)
Catch Trust XI 115-5 (20 overs; F Ongelwa 58*; L Andrews 2-8)
NCU Under 18s (NCU)
The Under 18's made it an NCU double with a 23-run win over the Catch Trust XI. Runs for Grace Wilson (30) and Niamh Lowry (20) saw them post 138 for 9. That was enough despite a half century for Ongelwa - two wickets for Lucy Andrews.
2nd T20: Catch Trust XI lost to NCU Women Under 16 by 99 runs
Khayelitsha, 11 February.
NCU Women Under 16 139-4 (20 overs; L Humphreys 27, M McCartney 21)
Catch Trust XI 40-5 (20 overs; E Kennedy 2-6)
NCU Under 16s (CricketEurope)
A fine all-round display saw the NCU Under 16's win by 99 runs. Lucy Humphreys (27) and Matilda McCartney (21) top-scored as they made 139 for 4. The hosts found the going tough as they were restricted to 40 for 5 - two wickets for Emma Kennedy.
Western Province CCbeat NCU Women Under 18 by 105 runs
Rondebosch, 10 February.
Western Province 165 (35 overs; O Roubaix 35*, M Lawlor 27, I van Schalwyk 26; V Minford 4-31, E Carville 2-17, P Speer 2-34)
NCU Women Under 18 60 (19 overs; R Webster 17; G Botha 3-12)
Action from Wetsern Province (CricketEurope)
The NCU Under 18's battled bravely turning in a fine bowling display against a very strong and talented Western Province CC side that had a number of senior players in their ranks. Four wickets for Vanessa Minford and two apiece for Emily Carville and Penny Speer saw WP dismissed for 165. The batters though found the going tough as only Rebecca Webster (17) managed double figures as they were bowled out for 60.
Western Province CC beat NCU Women Under 16 by 5 wickets
Rondebosch, 10 February.
NCU Women Under 16 145 (30 overs; L Harper 24, M Mccartney 24, E Cuppitt 23; G Tanya 4-9, H Miche 2-10)
Western Province 146-5 (19 overs; W Zaro 44, H Morgan 31, D Jessica 24, H Nateeta 20*; H Gordon 1-12)
NCU Under 16s (CricketEurope)
A valiant effort by the NCU Under 16s against a very strong Western Province CC side. Batting first there were runs for Lucie Harper, Matilda McCartney and Eve Cupitt, but the innings fell away with four wickets for Grace Tanya to be all out for 145. The chase was always on track despite the best efforts of the NCU with one wicket apiece for Hannah Gordon, Ellie Bullick, Laura Suffern and Emily Kennedy.
Boland lost to NCU Women Under 18 by 15 runs
Franschhoek, 8 February.
NCU Women Under 18 238-5 (35 overs; N Lowry 100*, A Hughes 65; L Daniels 3-43)
Boland 223-8 (35 overs; L Daniels 68, L De Waal 46; N Moore 2-30, J Wright 2-37, V Minford 2-42)
Amelia Hughes and Niamh Lowry shared a 165 run stand (CricketEurope)
A brilliant century from Niamh Lowry who shared a 165-run partnership with Amelia Hughes powered NCU Under 18 girls to what proved to be a match winning total of 238 for 5. Despite a fine all-round performance by Leah Daniels who took three wickets and followed it up with a top score of 68, the NCU completed a 15-run win - two wickets apiece from Natalie Moore, Joscelyn Wright and Vanessa Minford.
Boland lost to NCU Women Under 16 by 5 wickets
Franschhoek, 8 February.
Boland 146 (33 overs; L Daniels 28, M Lee-Meyer 20; K West 5-35, H Gordon 2-10)
NCU Women Under 16 147-5 (23 overs; E Cupitt 43*)
Katie West took five wickets (CricketEurope)
Five wickets from Katie West and an unbeaten 43 from Eva Cupitt made it an NCU double as they beat Boland U16's by five wickets chasing 147.
1st T20: Northern Suburbs beat NCU Women Under 18 by 9 wickets.
Durbanville, 6 February.
NCU Women Under 18 120-7 (20 overs; R Lowe 37, L Andrews 37; B Chuma 2-22)
Northern Suburbs 121-1 (17 overs; A Linnae 44, X Mbala 34*; L Andrews 1-14)
The backdrop of Table Mountain (NCU)
A rusty opening display by the NCU Under 18 Girls was perhaps understandable as they were emerging from winter hibernation against a Northerns side very much fine tuned in the middle of a domestic season. Lisburn's Rebecca Lowe made a fluent 37 (6 fours) on her way to be joint top-scorer with Lucy Andrews (37) in a total of 120 for 7. Any hopes of it being a competitive score were quickly dispelled by an opening stand of 86 between Linnae (44) and Mbala (34*), with Northerns going on to complete a 9-wicket win in 17 overs - Lucy Andrews (1-14) getting the consolation wicket.
2nd T20: Northern Suburbs lost to NCU Women Under 18 by 8 wickets.
Durbanville, 6 February.
Northern Suburbs 77 (19 overs; F Chloe 27; E Carville 2-18, N Moore 1-4, P Speer 1-11, L Andrews 1-15)
NCU Women Under 18 78-2 (12 overs; N Lowry 34 ret, E Mitchell 17*)
Training for the game (NCU)
The NCU under 18 Girls ended the day on a high note as they avenged the morning loss to record an emphatic eight-wicket win over Northerns in the afternoon match. A fine bowling display saw the hosts bowled out for 77 with fine efforts with the ball from Emily Carville (2-18), Natalie Moore (1-4), Penny Speer (1-11) and Lucy Andrews (1-15). There was a slight wobble when openers Emily Wilson and Rebecca Lowe both fell cheaply, but the NCU needn't have worries as Niamh Lowry impressed in a hard-hit 34 before retiring, while Erin Mitchell (17*) guided her side home much to the delight of the large travelling contingent.
2nd T20: Northern Suburbs beat NCU Women Under 16 by 6 wickets.
Durbanville, 6 February.
NCU Women Under 16 53-7 (20 overs; E Bullick 13*; L Armahale 2-6, A Hannah 2-14, M Morgan 2-14)
Northern Suburbs 55-4 (9 overs; J Miche 17; E Bullick 2-9, E Kennedy 2-16)
The two NCU squads (NCU)
NCU Under 16 girls' batting failed to fire in their second T20 of the game with two wickets apiece for Armahale, Hannah and Morgan as they were restricted to 53 for 7 - Ellie Bullick top-scoring with an unbeaten 13. Bullick then grabbed two wickets as did Emma Kennedy as the NCU showed admirable fight before eventually falling to a sic-wicket loss.
1st T20: Northern Suburbs beat NCU Women Under 16 by 7 wickets.
Durbanville, 6 February.
NCU Women Under 16 111-7 (20 overs; N Kerr 36*; S Tanya 2-20)
Northern Suburbs 112-3 (19 overs; L Zita 43; L Suffern 2-10, K West 1-7)
War paint on (NCU)
The NCU Under 16 Girls lost their first encounter of the day against Northern Suburbs, but they did push the South African side all the way as it took them 19 overs before reaching their target. Batting first the NCU posted 111 for 7, thanks primarily to the efforts of Nina Kerr, who hit five boundaries in an undefeated 36. Lahu Zita's 43 meant Northerns were always in control, but they were kept honest by the efforts of Laura Suffern (2-10) and Katie West (1-7).
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