WARRIONS WIN THRILLER TO STAY TOP

The North West Warriors started the second weekend of the IP T20’s in much the same way as they did the first, with a win against the Northern Knights, although yesterday’s game was certainly a much more competitive affair. In the end, the hosts had just a single run to spare after a late assault from Neil Rock and Ross Adair almost turned the game on its head in the final overs.

Chasing the Warriors’ 160-6, the visitors never really threatened early on and heading into the last three overs they still needed 47 to win. Rock and Adair then plundered 24 off Craig Young in the 18th although the batting side couldn’t get much off Graham Hume in the next.

Rock was run out for a spirited 45 (4 sixes) at the start of the final over but the batting side still managed to get the ask down to four to win off the final ball of the match. The batsmen got two easily enough but Adair was then run out going for the third to leave the Warriors one ahead. His 26 came off just 12 deliveries and was just too little too late in terms of the points.

Mark Adair’s 28 and Jeremy Lawlor’s 23 were the best of the rest for the NCU side before their late rally with three run outs and a wicket apiece for Young, Hume, Andy McBrine, Graham Kennedy and Shane Getkate doing the damage for the North West.

Not for the first time this season the Warriors’ batting was held together by William McClintock whose 54 contained 3 fours and 4 sixes. The Donemana man shared a 4th wicket stand worth 84 with Shane Getkate (36) after the home side had slipped to 31-3.

The Warriors managed just 59 runs in their first 10 overs but then added nearly double that on “the back nine” to give themselves a real total to defend.

And defend it they did, leaving Gary Wilson’s charges still top of the pile before heading into Saturday morning’s next outing against the Munster Reds, starting at 11am.

After the game, Head Coach Wilson felt his side deserved the win and had a word of praise for those trying to break into the squad on a regular basis.

“I think we’re playing really good T20 cricket at the minute and it’s a team effort with everyone playing their part. We’ve seen a few new faces in the last couple of weeks and the guys have done really well. I thought Ryan Macbeth was excellent with the ball today and that competition will do us no harm.”

The Warriors will be wary of a Munster side who caused something of an upset at Pembroke last week when those two sides renewal rivalries on Saturday morning (11am).