Warriors lose out in Dublin rain

A superb William Porterfield half century wasn’t enough to prevent the North West Warriors falling to their second DLS defeat of the season in a rain-affected T20 against Leinster Lightning this afternoon.

Steady rain throughout the day saw the game at Pembroke reduced to 12 overs a side. Andy McBrine won the toss and elected to bowl first and it was an old foe, Kevin O’Brien, who was to grab the contest by the scruff of the neck. The Ireland International was at his belligerent best at the top of the Lightning order- smashing 3 fours and 8 sixes on his way to a 37-ball knock of 82.

Graham Hume helped the visitors tie down an end as he picked up 3-18, however O’Brien wasn’t for stopping. Along with Simi Singh (25 not out) the pair added 93 runs for the 4th wicket as the home side made 124-4 in their allotted overs.

Porterfield’s 50 (3 fours, 4 sixes) came off only 30 deliveries in reply, however the former Ireland skipper could find little company in the chase for ultra-quick runs. Graham Kennedy with an unbeaten 17 late on fared best of the rest as Singh completed an excellent day, returning figures of 3-11.

Peter Chase (2-19) and Tyrone Kane (2-20) tidied up as the Warriors, set a revised target of 128, finished on 104-8.

Next up for Ian McGregor’s charges is a trip to Waringstown on Tuesday for another tough encounter against the Knights.