Despite a remarkable seven-wicket haul from Eglinton leg-spinner Robbie Millar, the NCU defeated the North West by 45 runs at Queensway today in the first round of U-13 interprovincials.

The NCU having won the toss and batted first, composed innings from CSNI's Archie Johnston and Instonians' Oliver Metcalfe had taken the home side to the imposing position of 110-3 before Millar struck.

After trapping Metcalfe lbw for 44 (40 balls, 5 fours and 2 sixes), Millar then ran through the NCU line-up, claiming the last seven wickets to fall for just 23 runs in only 5.5 overs.

NCU captain Johnston was caught and bowled by Millar for a composed 45 from 64 balls and the NCU were bowled out with more than eleven overs left in their innings.

Yet Millar's heroics could not bring home victory for the North West, who were themselves dismissed for 104 in only 20 overs.

Instonians' Matthew Humphreys claimed three wickets for the NCU and there were two each for James Hunter (also Instonians), Michael Glass (Lisburn), and CSNI's Hugh Minford.

Only Donemana's Levi Dougherty offered much resistance for the North West, making an unbeaten 28 from 25 balls (4 fours and 1 six) as his team fell 45 runs short.