LEINSTER LIGHTNING STRIKE AGAIN! (JULY 9TH)

Leinster Lightning secured their second victory in the Inter-Provincial 50 over cup with a convincing seven-wicket bonus point win over the North West Warriors, chasing down a target of 260 with more than 10 overs to spare, taking them back to the top of the table.

After losing the toss and being asked to field, the Lightning were rewarded with an early breakthrough as Curtis Campher removed Gavin Roulston before George Dockrell dismissed Hassan Shahid four balls later, to leave the Warriors under pressure. Jake Egan responded making 85, anchoring the innings through the middle overs, while captain Andy McBrine added 37 to rebuild the innings.

The Warriors looked set for a strong finish when Ben Calitz struck an explosive 40 from just 18 deliveries, including four sixes, but the Lightning attack responded well in the closing stages. Byron McDonough led the way with an excellent spell of 4/50, claiming four of the final seven wickets, while Gavin Hoey picked up three wickets of his own. Curtis Campher, George Dockrell and David Delany also chipped in as the Warriors were dismissed for 259 in the 48th over.

Leinster’s reply suffered an early setback when Tim Tector departed in the opening over, but any nerves were quickly settled by a superb second-wicket partnership between Stephen Doheny and Chris De Freitas. The pair combining for an excellent 151-run partnership.

De Freitas was particularly impressive, producing an attacking 90 from just 84 deliveries, striking 10 fours and three sixes before falling with the finish line in sight. At the other end, Doheny anchored the innings superbly, compiling 87 from 100 balls to lay the perfect platform for the chase.

With the required rate well under control, Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker ensured there would be no late hiccups. Tector finished unbeaten on 34 from 24 balls, while Tucker produced an explosive cameo of 41 not out from only 22 deliveries, hitting three sixes and five fours as the Lightning raced to 262/3 in just 39.2 overs to secure a deserved bonus point.