Ulster Schools' U19s Inter Pro v Leinster Schools'
Leinster CC, Rathmines, Dublin.

On Day 1 of this two day game, Leinster Schools' won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket which had at least 2 previous games on it. The allotted 55 overs for the first innings saw Ulster Schools' dominate with the ball early on reducing Leinster to 63 for 3, only H McDonell (31) looked comfortable against G McCarter and B Wylie who took the early wickets. Lunch was taken 10 minutes early due to a heavy shower and thankfully the only one of the two days. Leinster Schools' middle order accumulated runs readily, T Kane (91), S Forest (60), D Nichol (26) and J Andrews (20) all contributed well for them to finish on 242 for 7. B Wylie was the pick of the Ulster Schools' finishing on 3-57

Ulster Schools' started solidly with J McClurkin (34) establishing himself at the crease against the pase of P Chase and T Kane, the latter looking tired. However, the off spin of A Clouglan, on the dusty wicket proved a handful for the Ulster Schools� upper order. With the score on 41, J Glenn was first to go and in the over before lunch both A Shields and captain A Berry played back to Cloughlan at their peril and returned to the club house with the score 45 for 3. Likewise, the Ulster Schools' middle order stamped their authority on proceedings with G McCarter (94), R Adair (71) putting together an excellent 150 run partnership. At 6.30pm, close of play, the Ulster Schools' were 225 for 8 off 46overs, still 9 overs left to bat the next morning; A Couglan had finished the day on 7-39..

On Day 2 M Best (34) and S Campbell (27no) put on a 50 run partnership in 33 balls, Best hitting frequent boundaries. Ulster Schools' finished their allotted 55 overs on 280 for 7, 38 runs ahead; A Couglan finishing the innings with 9-68. The Leinster Schools' second innings started solidly enough with H McDonnell and T Kane fronting up to an aggressive G McCarter, but it was the later who won the battle. Wickets began to fall at regular intervals with a combination of slow left arm spin from B Wylie and S Campbell and the seam of G McCarter and M Best. Leinster Schools' were eventually bowled out in 60 overs for 198, leaving Ulster Schools� 160 runs to win in approximately 42 overs; that included the overs before the minimum 20 after 5pm. The Ulster Schools� bowling was limited with R McKinley only bowling 4 overs as he had to leave the field having took a knock on the knee diving to stop one.

Opening bat J McClurkin (74) batted superbly to see Ulster Schools� home with G McCarter (37no) and A Shields (22) contributing to good partnerships. Ulster Schools� finished on 162 for 5 and won this Inter-Pro comfortably by 5 wickets. This win follows up the win last year up North, when Ulster Schools� won dramatically of the last ball. Both C Harte (Manager) and D Keown (Assistant Coach) were well pleased with the teams performances and their overall conduct at the accommodation at the Church of Ireland Training College.

Simon Thompson
U19 Coach