LEINSTER LIGHTNING – DOUBLE IP CHAMPIONS FOR 2024

Leinster Lightning have defeated the Northern Knights by 9 wickets at Oak Hill today and in doing so have completed a remarkable IP double - adding the IP50 trophy to the IP20 cup already received last evening.

Leinster Lightning has dominated the IP competitions since they were reconstituted in 2013 and this year’s success is their 9th time as IP50 Champions in the 12 years of the competition. It is also their 5th double (IP20 & IP50), the last of which was achieved back in 2020 before the reallocation of CL players to other PU teams.

Huge congratulations to the whole squad and in particular to Head Coach, Andre Botha on this major achievement.

Batting first, Northern Knights made a frenetic 154 all out off just 25 overs with strong contributions from just two of their top order - Ross Adair (54 off 24) and James McCollum (who made a more sedate 35 off 43 balls).

Wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the Knights innings with Fionn Hand finishing with 4-59 including the key wicket of Ross Adair supported by Melvin Deveraj (making his IP50 debut) who took 3-30. His scalps included McCollum and Neil Rock for just 5.

Gavin Hoey also chipped in with 2-30 off his 7 overs.

At the innings break, the challenge for the Leinster Lightning was clear – to secure the required bonus point win and to achieve a superior net run rate to their opponents, they would need to chase down the 155 required for victory in 22.2 overs or less.

In response and despite the early loss of Tim Tector to an unfortunate run out, opener Andrew Balbirnie combined very effectively with Pembroke team-mate Lorcan Tucker to plunder an unbeaten 131 off just 79 balls for the second wicket.

The bonus point win secured at just 2pm at a canter and with it the double – both IP trophies returning home to Leinster.

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FINAL IP50 MATCH FOR 2024, AT OAK HILL (WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER)

Northern Knights 154 All Out in 25 overs (Ross Adair 54, James McCollum 35; Fionn Hand 4-59, Melvin Deveraj 3-30 on debut, Gavin Hoey 2-30)

Leinster Lightning 157-1 off 17.3 overs (Andrew Balbirnie 75*, Lorcan Tucker 72*)

Leinster Lightning won by 9 wkts.

Fionn Hand finished with 4-59

Melvin Deveraj took 3-30 on his IP50 debut at Oak Hill

Andrew Balbirnie scored a rapid unbeaten 75 off 49 balls

Lorcan Tucker (74* off 48 balls) partnered with Balbirnie to see Leinster home