LIGHTNING LANCE KNIGHTS IN LISBURN (14.07.26)

It was another comprehensive day for the Sherwin O'Riordan Leinster Lightning side this afternoon, as after last week's record breaking run chase, they had clearly also broken the spirit of the Northern Knights in the process.

The thumping victory means that the NCU side are out of the competition whilst still having a game to play, and the Lightning are guaranteed to finish top at the end of the 'group phase'. Their prize will be a home final against the North West in Sydney Parade next Thursday, as the side seek their third IP50 crown on the spin.

It was another day where persistence proved absolutely key for the Lightning with the ball, Ross Adair once again got a quick start however when he was bowled by Curtis Campher the momentum was slowed slightly. Paul Stirling and James McCollum batted nicely to tee up a strong position for the hosts at 129/1, however two quick wickets for Gavin Hoey stalled the progress once again.

Campher returned to the attack to dismiss McCollum for a top-score of 73, before Hoey exacted some revenge for Shane Dadswell's onslaught last week, dismissing him for 26. Excellent death skills from Jai Moondra and Byron McDonough saw the NCU innings finish all out for 288, leaving 15 balls unused.

The Lightning then set about their target of 288 fully aware of what the side could produce against this Knights outfit, just a week removed from chasing 414 against them in Sydney Parade. The opening duo set about their work quickly, Tim Tector initially dominating their stand before Doheny began to accelerate into the game.

Tector was dismissed for a typically fluent 84 from just 76 deliveries with the score on 165, however the Knights had only succeeded in bringing Chris de Freitas to the crease, a man in excellent form after his century between the sides last time around and 90 against the Warriors on Thursday. This time around he too was in good touch, making 52 from just 44 balls and adding 107 alongside Doheny in the process.

Doheny passed his century and with the 40th over in sight the Lightning clearly had one thing on their minds, as he hammered 28 from his next 6 deliveries before being dismissed for an excellent 128 by Tom Mayes, as the Knights resorted to death bowling in an effort to prevent the Lightning claiming another Bonus Point. Mayes also dismissed de Freitas, caught at deep backward square, in the same over, however Harry Tector deposited his first ball for 6 to keep the visitors in the box seat for 5 points.

Lorcan Tucker smacked a four past mid-off in the de facto final over however he was bowled two balls later bringing Curtis Campher to the crease to join Tector, and the pair took advantage of the tired Knights fielders by scampering a single and a pair of twos to secure victory off the final ball of the 40th over, and seal a second consecutive Bonus Point win.

That means that it'll be the Sherwin O'Riordan Leinster Lightning against the Warriors next Thursday to decide who takes home the IP50 Trophy for 2026, with the Lightning well on course having followed up the second biggest run-chase in List A cricket history with a pair of rapid run-chases against both oppositions in the tournament.