South Leinster edged a breathtaking U23 Siggins Cup match by the narrowest of margins, holding off North Leinster in a dramatic last-over finish to seal a one-run victory after a high-scoring contest packed with momentum swings.

South Leinster: Pic by Cricket Leinster

Batting first, South piled up an imposing 195 for 9 thanks largely to a blistering opening partnership between Mark Tonge and Bruce Whaley. The pair tore into the new ball and raced to 93 in just 7.3 overs, immediately putting the North bowlers under pressure.

Tonge was in devastating form, hammering 55 from only 25 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes, while Whaley matched the aggression in a sparkling 47 from 28 balls that included ten boundaries. Even after both openers departed, South kept the scoreboard moving through Luke Horgan, whose enterprising 41 from 28 balls featured three fours and three sixes.

North Leinster fought back admirably with the ball in the second half of the innings. Yaseen Sherzad claimed three wickets, while Killian McGrane chipped in with two for 29 to keep the target within touching distance.

The chase exploded into life immediately as Seamus Lynch and John Devane launched a ferocious counterattack. The opening pair blasted 74 in just 5.2 overs, with Lynch falling agonisingly short of a half-century after a stunning 20-ball 49 containing seven fours and three sixes. Devane added an equally fluent 42 from 25 balls with six fours and a six.

Despite regular wickets, North refused to go away. John McNally’s 29 and Yaseen Sherzad’s 27 dragged the game to a thrilling conclusion.

Needing 15 from the final over, North failed to score from the first two balls before Mohammed Sherzad smashed consecutive sixes to leave three required from two deliveries. However, Tom Ford held his nerve brilliantly, bowling Sherzad before restricting McGrane to a single from the final ball to clinch a dramatic South Leinster triumph.