Ireland U15s ended their tour on a winning note by chasing 275 to beat Kent Western Rhinos by three wickets. Balbriggan’s Brian Dunphy hit a rapid 60 from only 37 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) as he and the ever-consistent Rob O’Brien (41) shared a second wicket stand of 107. However a flurry of wickets had the Irish reeling on 127 for 5. However, they rallied thanks to James West’s unbeaten 84 (13 fours, 1 six) as he shared stands of 66 for the 6th wicket with skipper Ollie Riley (22) and 74 for the 7th with Reuben Wilson (25). Earlier, Ethan Marshall (3-39), Adam Leckey (2-24), and Seb Dijkstra (2-50) had been best with the ball in the Western Rhinos 275.

Ireland U15s reached the final of the Durham Festival with an impressive three wickets win against Northants. Seb Dijkstra and James West each took four wickets as the county side were bowled out for 213. Half centuries for Adam Leckey and Rob O'Brien then ensured the win, with vital runs down the order too from he YMCA duo of Reuben Wilson and Ollie Riley.

Ireland U15s made it three wins from three with a comfortable 105-run win over the Netherlands. Once again Rob O'Brien was in the runs, top-scoring with 73 as the Irish posted an impressive 316 for 6. There were runs too for Seb Yeates (51), Ethan Marshall (41*), and Brian Dunphy (31). Netherlands were in early trouble with wickets for Adam Leckey (2-26), Arshad Safi (2-36), and Ollie Riley (2-16), but rallied to end on 211 for 9. One concern for the Irish coaches will be the number of bowling extras they conceded which was over 50.

Half centuries from Brian Dunphy and Robert O’Brien ensured Ireland U15’s made it two wins from two at the Durham Festival as they beat Cleveland by 7 wickets. Dunphy top-scored with 82 from 66 balls (12 fours, 1 six) in an impressive chase, while O’Brien hit 7 boundaries in his unbeaten 54 as Ireland reached their 240 target in the 36th over. There were runs too for Adam Leckey (41*) and Seb Yeates (24). James West mad e17, but he had already done more than enough with the ball, claiming 6 for 45 to spark a Cleveland collapse, as they went from 202 for 2 to 239 all out. The Irish are back in action on Wednesday when they take on The Netherlands.

Ireland Under 15s bounced back from their disappointing 3-1 series loss to Scotland to record a comprehensive 132-run win over Cambridgeshire on the opening day of the Barnard Castle Festival. Yet again Irish skipper Ollie Riley was their star, top-scoring with an unbeaten 79 (7 fours, 1 six). He shared stands of 65 with Brian Dunphy (43 from 25 balls), and 72 with Reuben Wilson (35) as Ireland recovered from 115 for 5 to post 299 for 7. There were runs earlier for Robert O’Brien (31), and Adam Leckey (21). In the chase, four wickets for Seb Djikstra (4-19) and two for TJ Boyd saw their opponents’ slump to 95 for 8. However, they did salvage some losing points thanks to an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 72 between Seb Harrison, who hit ten boundaries in his unbeaten 71, and Harry Winn (27*) as they ended on 167 for 8.

Ireland levelled the Under 15 Celtic Cup series with an 87-run win against Scotland at Dumfries. It was two names familiar to Irish fans that inspired the victory, with James West (son of Regan) taking five wickets, and Robert O’Brien (nephew of Niall/Kevin) top-scoring with 73. Batting first, Ireland scored 221 for 9, with O’Brien sharing a third wicket stand of 69 with Adam Leckey (28). Reuben Wilson also made a run-a-ball 28, while Ethan Marshall hit 24. In the chase, Ethan Ramsay top-scored with 39 for the hosts, while Manu Sarasawat made 31, but it was the Irish spinners who would have the decisive say. CSNI all-rounder West claimed 5 for 23, while Merrion’s Seb Dijkstra took 2 for 24 in the impressive win for Simon Johnston and Andrew Poynter’s young charges.

It’s first blood to Scotland in their four-match Celtic Cup series against Ireland Under 15s at Dumfries. The opener was a real thriller, ebbing and flowing throughout before being won by the hosts by 13 runs. Scotland posted 255 thanks primarily to a brilliant 94 in 116 balls from Ollie Jones (9 fours). Olly Riley claimed a hat-trick on his way to a five-wicket haul, while there was also three wickets for Seb Dijkstra. The Irish chase got off to a shaky start at 47 for 4, but Adam Leckey and Riley shared a fifth wicket stand of 105 before Leckey fell for 51. Riley top-scored with 69, adding a further 71 with Brian Dunphy (48). However, from 223 for 5, Scotland fought back to seal the win as the Irish were bowled out for 242 in the last over. The series continues on Wednesday at the same venue.