Cricket: An aggregate score of 147 runs for opening batsman Jeremy Bray highlighted the dominance that North Leinster are enjoying in the battle of the regions.
An innings of 101 against the North West yesterday went with Saturday's 46 against the NCU and made sure his side remained unbeaten in the Regional Challenge competition.
As usual, his century yesterday was hit in good time - he faced just 127 balls - and he looks in good form as he prepares for Ireland's two-game series against the West Indies in Stormont on June 16th and 17th.
In reply to North Leinster's 302 for 8, the North West managed just 205 for 7 with Gordan Cooke hitting a fluent 45 towards the end of the innings.
But speaking of the West Indies games, Ireland skipper Jason Molins is doubtful with a hamstring injury picked up on Saturday. More will be known next week when Molins attends a physio, but he has been named in the 13-man squad.
Kent wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien has also been named, along with pace man Adrian McCoubrey, who has been released to play by his county, Essex. All-rounder Gordan Cooke is back in the squad after a break of more than three years.
On Saturday at Malahide, a remarkable innings from Trent Johnston was the difference between North Leinster and their worthy NCU opponents. Batting number eight, Johnston joined Andre Botha in the middle in the 44th over with the score on a borderline 206 for 6.
But when the North Leinster innings closed less than seven overs later, he had moved it up to 283 for 6 with a tally of 55 not out, off just 20 balls faced (five sixes, four 4s).
It made all the difference. The NCU reached just 223 - Michael Scott (53) and Brian Baguley (43) - as Barry Archer (3-35) and the other North Leinster bowlers were able to pick them off as they tried to up the tempo.
The Southern XI had a shocker at College Park on Saturday against a severely understrength North West as they struggled to 202 for 8 off their 50 overs. It is worth noting the top score for the North West was the extras column, with the Southerners giving away an unacceptable 39 sundries. And things got worse for the Southern XI after the interval as they crumbled to a humiliating 113-run defeat, skittled out for just 89.
Yesterday, the Southerners improved to a close-fought defeat to the NCU in Park Avenue.
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