PORTERFIELD CLASS NOSES WARRIORS AHEAD

More rain brought another early finish to proceedings at North County as the North West Warriors earned a modest lead over Leinster Lightning in their ongoing Test Triangle Interprovincial Championship clash. For the second day running there was no play after tea with the visitors 168-9; a lead of 37 going into Wednesday’s third and final sessions.

Ian McGregor’s charges will be bitterly disappointed not to be in more control of affairs having been 105-1 earlier in the day after William Porterfield and Ross Allen had set an excellent platform. The latter was first out, lbw to Josh Little for 27, and although Aaron Gillespie added 15, his dismissal, lbw to the impressive Barry McCarthy, brought about a middle-order collapse.

Within 10 overs the Warriors had slumped to 119-7, however the Ireland skipper was standing firm. Porterfield and Graham Hume (20) added 42 for the 8th wicket to give their side some sort of lead with the former showing all of his class to fend off a rampant home attack. At stumps, the Ireland opener was unbeaten on 95 (9 fours, 2 sixes) although it is now down to Ryan Macbeth tomorrow morning to help him get to three figures.

McCarthy was outstanding for Lightning as he returned figures of 5-51 although Simi Singh’s 2-36 from 25 overs was an excellent contribution.

The Warriors would have obviously been hoping for a healthier lead having bowled their hosts out for 131 this morning- Craig Young (4-26) and Hume (3-34) tidying up early on- however with the North West side still to play the Northern Knights in the season finale, a draw here would be no bad result.