Cricket Ireland

A determined rearguard partnership between Andrew Poynter and George Dockrell preserved Leinster Lightning's unbeaten record on a dramatic final day of the Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship at Stormont.

The Irish internationals survived 30 overs to keep the Knights attack at bay after they had been reduced to 78 for 7 in a dramatic afternoon session after rain wiped out the morning's play.

Instonians all-rounder Nikolai Smith (2-18) set the tone for the day when he dismissed first innings centurion John Anderson and Simi Singh with successive deliveries in the first over after the resumption - both edging to the impressive Jamie Magowan behind the stumps.

After Graeme McCarter trapped Sean Terry lbw, Magowan was once again in action as the Muckamore gloveman also snared Tyrone Kane with a quite superb full-length dive - McCarter (3-41) the successful bowler.

The Knights were in dreamland when Shane Getkate (2-13) accounted for Joe Carroll and Eddie Richardson in quick succession to leave Lightning's innings in tatters, and putting their four season Championship unbeaten record in jeopardy.

However Poynter and Dockrell showed all their international experience to nullify the Knights bowling, and managed to hold on for the draw.

Poynter's vigil saw him make an unbeaten 42 from 136 balls (4 fours) while Dockrell's obdurate 15 not out occupied 91 priceless deliveries, before the teams shook hands on the draw. Knights get 8 points from the game which keeps them top of the Championship table on 18 - three ahead of Lightning.

The next action in the Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Series is the T20 Trophy when the Knights host the Warriors at Comber on May 27th.

Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship
At Stormont, Day 3 close

Leinster Lightning 306-3 dec (90 overs; J Anderson 135no, D Joyce 71) and 117-7 (57 overs, A Poynter 42no, G McCarter 3-41, S Getkate 2-13, Ni Smith 2-18)

Northern Knights 320-8 dec (94.4 overs, J Holmes 53, Nikolai Smith 52, G Thompson 43, G McCarter 42no, C Dougherty 38, E Richardson 3-55, S Singh 2-31,
G Dockrell 2-53)

Northern Knights (8 points) drew Leinster Lightning (10 points)