LIGHTNING BOLTS BLAST WARRIORS AWAY THANKS TO O'BRIEN TON! (AUGUST 18TH)

Rob O'Brien was the start of the show once again for the Leinster Lightning Bolts this afternoon, as his fantastic run-a-ball 144 teed up a huge win for the hosts.

The day started perfectly for the Bolts, as skipper Philippe le Roux won the toss and elected to bat first. In spite of the early loss of Tom Johnson, the second wicket stand between opener Bruce Whaley and number three O'Brien immediately set the tone for the Leinster side's innings.

Whaley was particularly proficient behind square on the off-side earlier on, frustrating the Warriors bowlers significantly, before he and O'Brien brought the score to 111/1 at the stroke of the first drinks break. Whaley went to 50 from just 38 balls the very next ball, and immediately upped the tempo once again, whilst O'Brien was slightly more sedate, following through the same milestone from 67 deliveries.

The pair had added 189 for their stand by the time Whaley was eventually caught at mid-on for an excellent 87 from just 71 balls, including 10 boundaries and two maximums. His departure saw skipper le Roux enter the fray and bat with real intent, making 30 from just 16 deliveries and adding another half-century stand with O'Brien.

O'Brien's century came up from 115 deliveries, including 16 boundaries, and whilst he lost le Roux quickly after the milestone, momentum wasn't halted there by any manner or means. O'Brien added his next 44 from just 29 balls, as he added 87 along with Seb Dijkstra, before finally falling for a brilliant 144.

Dijkstra picked up the mantle from there, and was the mainstay of the final five overs, adding 78 from just 44 balls as his innings provided the impetus which saw the final score of 395 all out set the North West a very imposing target.

An excellent opening spell between Reuben Wilson and Olly Riley saw just 33 runs scored off the PowerPlay, however it was the change spells from Dan Murray and Andy Doheny which swung the game right into Leinster's favour, as by the time the pair had bowled the following 11 overs, the Warriors were reduced to 86/6, Doheny claming three and Murray two in an excellent spell between the duo.

Two wickets for Yash Bala kept the Bolts on track, and in spite of some lusty blows late on, Tom Johnson claimed the final wicket with the Warriors on 156, securing a 229 run win for the Leinster side and leaving them requiring just one more victory to secure the title.