LEINSTER LIGHTNING COMPLETE THE SWEEP WITH BATTING MASTERCLASS

Northern Knights             191/9 in 20 overs (Barry McCarthy 3/43, Fionn Hand 2/48, Reuben Wilson 1/28, Gavin Hoey 1/33, George Dockrell 1/2)

Leinster Lightning            192/5 in 17.1 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 38 off 21 balls, Tim Tector 69 off 35 balls, Lorcan Tucker 48 off 24 balls)

Leinster Lightning won by 5 wickets

After a rain affected morning some incredible work by the GM by Choice and Pembroke CC teams saw this match start on time and without loss of overs. Lightning won the toss and decided to field first.

The innings started brilliantly with Barry McCarthy taking a wicket first ball and with McCollum and Stirling going early Leinster would have been happy with the Knights at 32-3.

However an excellent partnership from Carmichael and Rock gave the Knights a platform to put on a big score. Skipper Dockrell would have been happy that the team took regular wickets in the 14^th, 15^th, 17^th, 18^th and 20^th overs to limit the score to under 200.

Barry McCarthy was the pick of the bowlers with 3/43 and the skipper took 1/2 off his solitary over.

The Lightning knew that the reply would need to be explosive and Balbirnie and Tector set about the Knights attack. The powerplay brought 74 runs for the loss of Andrew Balbirnie (38) which brought the required run rate under control and allowed Tim Tector to push on to make 69 off 35.

Lorcan Tucker went about his business quietly and efficiently, being well caught on the boundary for 48 off 24 balls.

In the end it fell to Harry Tector (12*) and Seamus Lynch (6* off 2 balls) to bring the Lightning over the line with 2.5 overs to spare and a clean sweep for the Festival.

The result capped off a fine festival for Leinster Lightning and for hosts Pembroke Cricket Club. The thanks of everyone in Leinster cricket go to Pembroke and the GM by Choice staff for their significant contributions to making the Festival such a success.

We also thank James Sherwin and David O’Riordan from Sherwin O’Riordan for their continued sponsorship of Leinster Lightning and the Lightning Bolts.

Next Interpro action for the Lightning is on 15^th June with a 50 over match against Munster Reds, followed by a 20 over match the next day. Both matches are in Sydney Parade.