LIGHTNING RETAIN 100% RECORD!

The Sherwin O’Riordan Leinster Lightning made it three wins from three in the IP20 this afternoon, as they saw off the North West Warriors by 34 runs in the final game of the Sydney Parade IP20 Festival.

Having lost the toss, the Lightning were asked to bat first, and got off to a disastrous start, losing both Tim and Harry Tector in quick succession. Before Stephen Doheny fell to a brilliant Jake Egan catch.

At 7/3 the wheels could easily have fallen off, however an excellent stand of 101 was dominated by Lorcan Tucker, as he made his second half-century in as many innings, eventually out for 56 from just 26 deliveries, clearing the rope 4 times.

George Dockrell made his way to 11 before Jake Egan threw the ball back over the rope to Trent McKeegan, seeing the former Lightning captain given out with the score on 122.

Chris de Freitas marshalled proceedings to 150 before he was also out just after passing his half-century, however the heroes of the innings somewhat where Matt Hollard and Byron McDonough, who added 33 for the final wicket, bringing the score to 183 all out in the final over.

Pembroke’s Andy Balbirnie took 13 off the first over, before Jai Moondra dismissed him with his first delivery, and Moondra was in business again just 6 balls later. This time he lasered a throw from short fine leg to run out Roulston.

Dockrell exacted some revenge, dismissing Egan caught and bowled for 29, before Gavin Hoey went about his work. The leg-spinner claimed 3/26 in a fine four-over spell, including the wickets of Scott Macbeth, Hassan Shahid and Liam McCarthy.

That reduced the Warriors to 110/7 and leaving them a mountain to climb, however with Gareth Delany at the crease, there was hope for the Derry based side.

Delany dragged the score to 142, before Matt Hollard enticed a false shot, Harry Tector claiming the catch on the boundary to all but seal the game for the defending champions.

The Warriors were eventually all out for 149 when Byron McDonough claimed the final wicket, seeing the Lightning jump well clear at the top of the table!