MAGHERAMASON –In the latest cricket news, Leinster Lightning turned their fortunes around with a win over North West Warriors on the final day of the second Inter-Provincial T20 Festival at Bready Cricket Club on Sunday.

An unbeaten half-century by Leinster Lightning skipper rescued his team from a tricky position after a formidable bowling show by the North West Warriors.

Dockrell hit five boundaries during his inning – featuring a brilliant drive off Shane Getkate on the third last delivery of the innings to score his fifty off 42 balls.

Kevin O’Brien looked in great touch earlier in the day with a fiery 16, but after that there wasn't much left for the Lightning supporters to cheer about as the Warriors bowlers – well supported by good fielding – held the Leinster stars with a tight line and brilliant use of change of pace.

Andy McBrine was exceptional with the ball, taking 3-19 from his four over spell, Craig Young finished with 2-21, while Ryan Macbeth bowled with exceptional accuracy to claim two big wickets of Simi Singh and Andrew Balbirnie.

The Lightning added 29 runs for the 9th wicket which was the highest partnership of the innings, that helped them add some respectability to the score, however their total of 127-8 never looked tough for their in-form opponents.

Lightning’s bowling unit, however, pulled a great come back as Barry McCarthy (3-20), Josh Little (2-16) and Simi Singh (2-20) created pressure and got breakthroughs at regular intervals with 19-year old leg-spinner and Man of the Match Gavin Hoey took his first wickets at inter-provincial level for a miserly 12 runs from his four overs.

For the Warriors, power – hitting William McClintock once more launched the ball to all parts of the park for a run-a-ball 35. Shane Getkate’s 20 also looked great until he holed out to Hoey at long off to hand him his first wicket. As wickets perished, runs became hard to score and the Warriors were reduced to 6-50 at the end, as the cheerful home crowd gradually became quieter as the outcome of the game became clearer.

MATCH SUMMARY

North West Warriors v Munster Leinster Lightning, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Bready Cricket Club, 27 June 2021

Lightning 127-8 (20 overs; G Dockrell 55*; A McBrine 3-19)

Warriors 111-9 (20 overs; W McClintock 35; B McCarthy 3-20, G Hoey 2-12)

Leinster Lightning won by 16 runs