CORK – A brilliant batting performance from William Porterfield guided the North West Warriors to victory over Munster Reds at The Mardyke on Tuesday.
Man of the Match Porterfield required a few overs to find his rhythm before crafting a fabulous innings of 110 from 123 balls. He smashed 14 fours and 2 sixes as he led from the front and powered the Warriors team to a comfortable victory.
The Warriors will be delighted with the run chase, after being set 290 for victory – breaching the target with 17 balls left.
Graham Kennedy hit an unbeaten 52 off 48, with contributions all the way down the batting order. The Reds tried hard, but some ordinary fielding at times let the pressure off at crucial points.
William McClintock brought up the win in style with a nonchalant six flicked off his pads.
Earlier in the day the Reds seemed to have the momentum after half-centuries to Murray Commins, skipper Tyrone Kane and Matt Ford – and a quick unbeaten 49 from Fionn Hand.
While early wickets perished and the Reds top order struggled to get started, their top-scorer in competition, Murray Commins looked like he was batting on a different pitch as he hit expansive shots all over the ground in his innings of 79 from 99 deliveries.
Reds’ skipper Tyrone Kane brought up his half-century off 58 balls, Kane hit five sixes in his 78 which came off 68 deliveries and the momentum he gave his team was carried on by Ford and Hand. The duo added an unbroken 64-run partnership from just 32 balls, punishing the Warriors bowlers at will.
The hosts side’s 289-6 from 50 overs easily surpassed their previous best team total of 219 this year, and set up a brilliant run chase.
For the Warriors team, Craig Young bowled well with figures of 3-48 while Andy McBrine claimed 2-44.
The experience and power of the Warriors proved to make the ultimate difference as the Reds did not do themselves justice in the field.
MATCH SUMMARY
Munster Reds v North West Warriors, Inter-Provincial Cup, Cork, 15 June 2021
Reds 289-6 (50 overs; M Commins 79, T Kane 78, M Ford 53*; C Young 3-48)
Warriors 292-6 (47.1 overs; W Porterfield 110, G Kennedy 52*; F Hand 2-48)
Warriors won by 4 wickets
