Ollie Thorpe NCU Media & Communications Officer

MTB Northern Knights fell to a 70-run (DLS) defeat against Leinster Lightning in their opening match of the Inter-Provincial Cup.

Having won the toss, MTB Northern Knights were in the driving seat early doors – bowling tidily and frustrating the Leinster batsman, keeping runs at a premium. There were starts for Kevin O'Brien (37) and Jamie Grassi (31) but when the latter fell, Leinster were 109-4 in the 32nd over.

George Dockrell shared a fifth wicket stand worth 104 with Simi Singh in 15.1 overs as the hosts went to 213-5 in the 48th over. Tim Tector (3) and Barry McCarthy (2 not out) stuck around in the final overs as Leinster Captain, Dockrell, reached his century off the final ball of the innings to help his side post 251-6 in their 50 overs.

Graeme McCarter was the pick of the Knights bowlers, claiming figures of 2-27 in his 10 overs. Mark Adair also claimed two wickets and there was a scalp each for Matthew Foster and Ruhan Pretorius.

In reply, MTB Northern Knights were initially chasing 252 for victory. Openers Paul Stirling and Pretorius got off to a quick start – adding 21 for the first wicket in less than four overs. One brought two as Stirling departed a couple of overs later. With no James McCollum, who left the field injured early in the day, MTB Northern Knights had to keep wickets in-hand.

Debutants Jeremy Lawlor and Luke Georgeson (46) were building a partnership when the rain came again in the 17th over. With the revised target calculated as 234 in 42 overs, the pair added a further 31 runs before Lawlor was caught behind off David O'Halloran for 32. Neil Rock (4) departed next, but it was a partnership of 61 between Georgeson and Adair gave the side a lifeline.

Needing 79 off 34, McCarter was run out for a single before debutant Ben White fell shortly after for 5. Adair finished 36 not out after Foster was run out by Jack Tector as MTB Northern Knights fell 70 runs short under the DLS method.

MTB Northern Knights are back in action on May 16 when they take on Leinster Lightning at North Dpwn Cricket Club. 

Inter-Provincial Cup, Pembroke 
Leinster Lightning 251-6 (50 overs): Dockrell 100*; McCarter 2-27 
MTB Northern Knights 163-9 (38.1 overs): Georgeson 46; Chase 3-37 
Leinster Lightning won by 70 runs (DLS) 

Image above - courtesy of Sportsfile