BATTLING WARRIORS FORCE THE PACE IN DUBLIN
Less than 43 overs play was possible on Day 1 of the Interprovincial Championship game between Leinster Lightning and the North West Warriors at North County today, but that was still enough time for the visitors to prove that they hadn’t come to admire the scenery around Balrothery. When rain brought a premature end to the day’s proceedings around teatime, the hosts had been reduced to 119-8, courtesy of an excellent display from the quintet of bowlers used by Ian McGregor’s charges.
The North West side had to do without Stuart Thompson (bereavement) having earlier been robbed of the services of Boyd Rankin for the remainder of the season, but they made light of that as Craig Young (3-26) and Graham Hume (2-26) opened up the Dubliners’ batting order. Young bowled Jack Tector in the very first over while Hume accounted for the dangerous Balbirnie soon after.
Simi Singh fared best of the Lightning line-up before he was run out by William Porterfield’s direct hit for 29, while there were cameos from Lorcan Tucker (19) and Stephen Doheny (16). Tyrone Kane remains unbeaten on 13 overnight but it was definitely the bowlers’ day with Ryan Macbeth and Graham Kennedy picking up a wicket each.
Skipper Andy McBrine only sent down 6 overs and while he remains wicket-less for now, he conceded just 8 runs to keep the pressure on the batsmen. Special mention too for Will Smale who marked his Warriors debut by picking up 5 dismissals behind the stumps.
A good start for the Championship holders then, and they will be hoping to keep the pressure on when battle is re-joined on Tuesday morning,
