There were mixed fortunes for hosts North West Warriors in the first round of the Newstalk Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy held at Bready on Sunday. David Rankin (62) and Stuart Thompson (60) shared an opening stand of 119 in the morning match against defending champions Leinster Lightning. The pair hit a combined total of 13 fours and 4 sixes playing shots all around the wicket as the Lightning bowlers failed to stem the flow of runs.
Eddie Richardson (1-20) was the pick of the shell-shocked Leinster attack, as the Warriors innings finished on 167 for 3 in their 20 overs.
A heavy shower meant that Leinster's target was adjusted to 141 in 16 overs, and the reply got off to a dreadful start as in-form Clontarf opener Bill Coghlan was dismissed by Craig Young (2-32) from the fourth ball.
Johnny Thompson bowled Kenny Carroll (7) shortly after, but it was the introduction of teenager Rishi Chopra into the attack which really decided the outcome of the match.
The Coleraine spinner dismissed Andrew Poynter with his third ball, and had Middlesex's Andrew Balbirnie stumped with his fourth to leave Leinster reeling on 25 for 4.
Lightning skipper John Mooney was run out by a direct hit by Warriors counterpart Andy McBrine, and at 26 for 5, it was really a face saving exercise for the Dubliners.
Max Sorensen (22) struck Chopra for two sixes, before perishing attempting to strike a third, while Barry McCarthy hit some lusty blows in his 34 from 24 balls, before being brilliantly caught in the deep by Rankin off McBrine (2-15), as Leinster were dismissed for 110.
A final margin of 30 runs didn't flatter the Warriors, who totally outplayed Lightning in all facets of the game.
In the afternoon game, David Rankin continued his fine form as he top scored with 73 to put the Warriors in a strong position at 134 for 2 with four overs remaining.
However his dismissal - attempting a rash shot off the impressive Peter Eakin, sparked a batting collapse which saw only 15 runs added in those four overs.
North Down star Eakin finished with the excellent analysis of 4 for 22, while Knights skipper White (3-28) also helped apply the breaks.
A final total of 149 for 9 looked to be around 20 short of par, and thus it proved as the Knights set about a perfectly timed run chase.
Chris Dougherty, returning to his old stomping ground, anchored the chase with 58 from 52 balls (6 fours, 1 six), sharing a brisk opening stand of 45 in 26 balls with Nick Larkin.
Larkin struck five boundaries in his 29 from just 16 balls, and his early salvo allowed James Shannon and Andrew White - both of whom made 26 - the luxury of not having to take any undue risks as the Knights eased to the seven wicket win with five balls to spare.
The teams are back in action next Sunday at Comber with round two of the T20 action - play gets under way at North Down at 11am.