NCU

MTB Northern Knights secured their first win in the 2021 Inter-Provincial Cup after defeating Leinster Lightning by five wickets at The Green. 

Jeremy Lawlor notched his maiden List-A half-century – scoring an unbeaten 80 off 112 balls as MTB Northern Knights wrapped up the game with 6.1 overs to spare, chasing 244. 

He had support from Luke Georgeson who also scored his first half-century in List-A cricket – scoring 58 off 87 balls, striking eight fours. 

Paul Stirling got the innings off to a flying start, blitzing the ball to all parts. He was out for 64 having hit eight fours and five sixes in his 26-ball knock. 

Earlier in the day, Andrew Balbirnie scored 126 for the visitors as they managed 243-7 in their 50 overs. 

George Dockrell continued his great form by scoring 58 off 83 balls. Barry McCarthy hit a quickfire 20 not out off seven balls at the end of the innings. 

The pick of the bowlers was Luke Georgeson who claimed figures of 3-44, picking up his first List-A wickets. There was a wicket each for Graeme McCarter, Mark Adair, Matthew Foster and Ben White. 

MTB Northern Knights are back in action on Tuesday when they face North West Warriors at Stormont.

MATCH SUMMARY 
LEINSTER LIGHTNING 243-7 (50 overs, A Balbirnie 126, G Dockrell 58, L Georgeson 3-44)
MTB NORTHERN KNIGHTS 244-5 (43.5 overs, P Stirling 64, J Lawlor 80no, L Georgeson 58, B McCarthy 3-64)
MTB Northern Knights won by five wickets