Warriors Fall Short in Season Opener

The North West Warriors came up short in Saturday’s Interprovincial season opener at Pembroke as Gary Wilson’s charges were beaten by 6 wickets by the reigning cup champions. It was a fair effort from the visitors, however their 204 all out was undone by excellent half centuries from the hosts’ Jamie Grassi and skipper George Dockrell.

Having lost the toss the visitors batted first with new-boy Stephen Doheny making light of a difficult start as he went straight on the attack against his former side. Doheny and William Porterfield posted a 30-run stand for the first wicket of which the former made 29- hitting six fours before being bowled by Barry McCarthy. Porterfield never really got going and was trapped lbw by the same bowler soon after; the second of McCarthy’s four wickets.

Andy McBrine (38) and Stuart Thompson (18) took the score to 68 before the latter was stumped by Lorcan Tucker off the bowling of George Dockrell. Shane Getkate also came and went before runs in the middle order from Graham Hume (44*), Graham Kennedy (21) and Nathan McGuire (19) nudged the Warriors up over the 200-mark.

1 May 2021; Andy McBrine of North West Warriors hits a boundary during the Inter-Provincial Cup match at Pembroke.

McCarthy finished with figures of 4-42 and Dockrell chipped in with 2-47 in a total of 204 all out; JJ Garth, Peter Chase and two run-outs accounting for the rest.

In reply, a 62-run second wicket stand between Grassi and Jack Tector put Lightning in the driving seat after Graham Hume had got rid of the dangerous Kevin O’Brien for 10.

Tector made 34 before being caught by Hume off the bowling of McBrine for 34, however his partner carried on his merry way and a 106-run partnership between Grassi and Dockrell took the game away from the Warriors once and for all.

1 May 2021; Craig Young of North West Warriors appeals for the wicket of Jack Tector of Leinster Lightning.

The Phoenix batsman finally fell to Stuart Thompson for a fluent 82 (8 fours and a six) just before the end, but Dockrell’s unbeaten 50 (5 fours and a six) took his side over the line with a comfortable 15 balls to spare.

Hume (2-39) fared best with the ball for the visitors, as he had with the bat, but the hosts were worthy winners.

At Pembroke, Leinster Lightning beat North West Warriors by 6 wickets.

NW Warriors 204 all out (48.5 overs; G Hume 44*, A McBrine 38, S Doheny 29, G Kennedy 21, B McCarthy 4-32, G Dockrell 2-47)

Leinster Lightning 207-4 (47.3 overs: J Grassi 82, G Dockrell 50*, G Hume 2-39)