The North West Warriors bounced back from Saturday’s loss to showcase a fantastic all-round team performance against Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial Cup. This was Munster Red’s first appearance in the 50 over format despite the game being reduced to 43 overs due to morning showers.

North West Warriors skipper Andy McBrine won the toss and elected to bowl and quickly took the wicket of Reds’ opener Seamus Lynch at 8 runs. However, a 62 run partnership by Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin and Murray Commins steadied the innings for Munster Reds until McLoughlin-Gavin was dismissed at 36 runs by Stuart Thompson.

What followed was a dominant display with Curtis Campher hitting five fours and scoring 34 runs in 30 balls while Murray Commins surpassed the 50 run mark and was eventually caught and bowled by Boyd Rankin at 61 runs.

Despite Munster Reds’ skipper Tyrone Kane getting 23 and Greg Ford 24 runs respectively, the Warriors swung the game’s momentum in their favour by taking 6-20 in the last six overs to reduce the Reds to 219 from 42 overs.

Left arm spinner Ross Allen claimed three wickets for the Warriors while McBrine and Graham Hume took two wickets each. By finishing 2-18 in 8 overs, Hume was particularly impressive showing patience in delivering at the perfect line and length.

The Warriors in response to the Reds 219 runs started strongly with Stephen Dohenty scoring 20 runs from 12 balls and William Porterfield’s solid 38 runs from 56 balls. McBrine also displayed a dominant performance with 32 runs from 53 balls while Stuart Thompson struck four fours and two sixes, registering a total of 42 runs.

Shane Getkate (35*) and Graham Kennedy (36) proved to be the final blow for Munster Reds as the 58 runs from 52 balls fifth wicket partnership effectively sealed the game for the Warriors. Andy McBrine was awarded Player Of The Match for his 32 runs and taking 2-36.

Northern Knights and Leinster Lightning will face each other in the Inter-Provincial Cup on May 16th at Comber.