The Lightning Bolts Tour of Denmark ended in a series draw after both matches were completed on Saturday.
In Match 1, the Bolts had made 267 all out off their 50 overs on Friday. Stephen Doheny (74 off 89 balls; 7x4,2x6) and Lorcan Tucker (59 off 77 balls; 7x4) added 135 in 151 deliveries for the third wicket, before late impetus from Fiachra Tucker (37) and Rory Anders (31) dragged the visitors to their final total.
After rain washed out the Danish reply, an early start was agreed for Saturday with Denmark chasing a DLS calculated 152 in 20 overs.
North County’s Fionn Hand was the destroyer in chief for the Bolts bowling attack as they secured a 22-run victory. Taking 5 for 23 off his four over allocation, Hand ensured Denmark never looked likely to threaten the target.
This despite 37 not out (off just 23 balls) from opening bowler Henriksen, who had taken three Bolts wickets on Friday.
Merrion’s Tom Stanton (2-28) and Malahide’s James Newland (1-11) were the other wicket-takers for the Bolts as they wrapped up victory in Match 1.
Match 2
An assured 94 from opener Klokker ensured victory for Denmark, and a tied series, in Match 2 against the Bolts in Copenhagen, despite another half-century from the in-form Gareth Delany in a now 45-over a side match.
With the Bolts batting first, Delany cracked 54 off just 37 deliveries as he dominated an opening stand of 72 with Connor Fletcher.
Unfortunately, his departure signalled a collapse as the top 5 fell for 25 runs as Raja (2-46) and Jojo (3-27) tore the top order leaving the Bolts 97/5 after just under 17 overs.
Lorcan Tucker (30), Fiachra Tucker (23) and Stephen Doheny (22) all got starts and Fionn Hand added a useful unbeaten 24, but 202 all out was unlikely to be enough against the Danes.
This proved to be the case as opener Klokker’s 94 off 101 guided the home side to victory.
This was despite Newland taking two early wickets and finishing with 3-22 off his eight overs. Andrew Sheridan was the other successful Bolts bowler, taking 1-29 off his five overs.
One win and one defeat for a young Bolts side away to the Danish national side is no mean feat for a first overseas tour. Playing in new conditions and getting used to travelling as a group will stand to these players into their future careers.
Match 1
Denmark v Lightning Bolts, Friday September 21st/Saturday 22nd
Svanholm CC, Copenhagen
Lightning Bolts 267 a/o 49.3 overs (S Doheny 74, L Tucker 59; M Henriksen 3-35, N Damgaard 3-45)
DLS Target 152 in 20 overs
Denmark 129/8 20 overs (M Henriksen 37, M Singh 35; F Hand 5-23, T Stanton 2-28)
Lightning Bolts win by 22 runs by DLS
Match 2
Denmark v Lightning Bolts, Saturday 22nd
Svanholm CC, Copenhagen, 45 overs per side
Lightning Bolts 202 a/o 44.3 overs (G Delany 54, L Tucker 30; J Jojo 3-27)
Denmark 203/4 34.4 overs (F Klokker 94; J Newland 3-22)
Denmark win by 6 wickets