Leinster Schools hold the advantage after the first day of their two-day clash with Ulster at Merrion.

The Northern side were bowled out for 142 with Adam Heasley top-scoring with 31, and Ryan Clarke, Mohammed Aahil and Tom Crothers all passing 20.

There were three wickets for Luke Thomson, plus two apiece for Yash Bala and Eoin Birch.

A third wicket stand of 98 between opener Tom Johnson and Luke Thomson then ensured Leinster finished the day very much in the ascendency.

Johnson hit 15 fours and a six in his 73, while Thomson's 66 included 12 fours.

Eoin Birch is unbeaten on 29 and he has added 34 for the fifth wicket with Sean O'Brien (9*).

With a lead of 72 and more to come, Ulster will have to battle hard to salvage a draw when play resumes on Thursday morning at 10am.

At Anglesea Road, Day 1 close.

ULSTER SCHOOLS
Sam McMillan c Sugrue b Birch 8
Tom Crothers c Sugrue b Thomson 23
Angus Farrell c Sugrue b Birch 4
Adam Heasley c Isaac Djikstra b Thomson 31
Mohammed Aahil c Cosgrave b Bala 26
Sam Magee c Isaac Dikjstra 0
Ryan Clarke c O'Brien b Gilhooly 28
Michael Skelly lbw b Forkin 0
Jacob Scarlett c Cosgrave b Bala 4
David Kane not out 3
Adam Armstrong b Seb Dijkstra 3
Extras 20 (3b, 3nb, 14w)
Total (all out, 44.4 overs) 142

Fall: 1-5 2-15 3-71 4-74 5-74 6-122 7-127 8-134 9-135 10-142

Bowling: Eoin Birch 7-1-41-2, Sean O'Brien 4-0-23-0, Luke Thomson 7-1-23-3, Daniel Forkin 12-4-20-1, Liam Gilhooly 5-0-21-1, Yash Bala 6-1-9-2, Seb Dijkstra 4-2-2-1.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS
Daniel Forkin c McMillan b Skelly 5
Tom Johnson b Scarlett 73
Macdara Cosgrave c Aahil b Magee 7
Luke Thomson b Nawn 66
Eoin Birch not out 29
Sean O'Brien not out 9
Extras 21 (8b, 6lb, 4w, 3nb)
Total (4 wkts, 39 overs) 214

Fall: 1-31 2-49 3-147 4-180

Bowling: Michael Skelly 8-0-41-0, Cameron Nawn 9-1-37-1, Sam Magee 6-0-36-1, Mohammed Aahil 3-0-19-0, David Kane 5-0-32-0, Adam Armstrong 4-0-25-0, Jacob Scarlett 4-1-12-1.