(Cricket news) The North West Warriors won their first-ever Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy with an easy 8-wicket win over Leinster Lightning today.
Having won the toss, the North West Warriors made great use of a tricky pitch with early wickets – led by Conor Olphert who took 2-5 in the first powerplay as he was awarded the player of the match trophy for his efforts. Kevin O'Brien was the only top-order batter who made it into double figures, he fell for 23 off the bowling of Kennedy (2-14) and the Lightning innings collapsed to 59-8 after 14 overs.
Tailenders Gavin Hoey (37 off 28 balls) and Josh little (19* off 19 balls) came to the crease and the pair put on a potentially matching saving partnership of 53 to drag the Lightning to a score of 113-9.
Needing a positive start to set the tone for the run case, the Warriors Stephen Doheny (17) and William Porterfield (39*) put on 30 in the first 5 overs, but the loss of Doheny slowed the run rate for the Warriors, with Andy McBrine striking 24 off 19 balls, including two sixes. McBrine fell late on, but Porterfield and Shane Getkate (26* off 12 balls) saw the Warriors home by 8 wickets.
MATCH SUMMARY
Leinster Lightning v North West Warriors, IP20 Festival Game 6, North Down C.C,Comber, 19th September 2021
Leinster Lightning 113-9 (20 overs; G Hoey 37, K O’Brien 23; C Olphert 3-27, G Kennedy 2-14)
North West Warriors 119-2 (13.5 overs; W Porterfield 39*, S Getkate 26*, A McBrine 24; D O’Halloran 1-13)
North West Warriors won by 8 wickets
Also read: Zimbabwe secures victory in the decider over Scotland to win T20 series
Earlier in the day, the Northern Knights won a reduced-overs affair over the Munster Reds by 9 wickets to finish second on the table. The Knights bowlers restricted the Reds batting attack to 72-5 from their 10 overs, then the kings chased down the target in less than 8 overs thanks to an unbeaten 54 from 27 balls by Ross Adair.
MATCH SUMMARY
Munster Reds v Northern Knights, IP20 Trophy, Comber, 19 September 2021
Munster Reds 72-5 (10 overs; M Ford 21; B White 2-3, R Pretorius 1-15)
Northern Knights 74-1 (7.4 overs; R Adair 54*; M Frost 1-13)
Northern Knights won by 9 wickets
