WARRIORS BEATEN BY BATTLING REDS

The North West Warriors were unable to build on Friday’s sensational win over the Northern Knights when they lost by 6 wickets to Munster Reds in today’s second round of T20 games at Sydney Parade. Andy McBrine’s men just couldn’t find any rhythm to their batting this afternoon and the Cork-based side took full advantage to blow the competition wide open heading into Sunday’s matches.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Warriors were soon in trouble, losing William Porterfield, Shane Getkate and Nathan McGuire inside the first three overs. A quick 23 from William McClintock did help, but the Donemana man and Stephen Doheny then fell in quick succession as well to leave the score on a precarious 41-5.

Help was at hand in the shape of skipper McBrine and Graham Kennedy who added a valuable 61 for the sixth wicket, but the bowlers remained on top. McBrine finished with 41 and Kennedy 24, and it took a late 28 from Jared Wilson, made from just 12 balls, to push the score up to a competitive 146-9 in 20 overs.

Josh Manley (3-34) bowled well for Munster, as did Fionn Hand (2-26), although in fairness this was a team effort from them.

Murray Commins with 44 anchored the reply, and although Craig Young picked up a couple of wickets to keep the Warriors interested, an unbroken 42-run partnership between the Ford boys clinched the win. Matt batted really aggressively to make 39 not out with Greg unbeaten on 15 as the Reds claimed a famous win.