Warriors cruise home against Knights

Lawrence Moore



A 158-run opening stand between William Porterfield and David Rankin helped the North West Warriors post a comprehensive 8-wicket win over the Northern Knights in Mondays Interprovincial Cup opener at sun-splashed Stormont.

Indeed, for much of the afternoon it looked as if the North Wests top two batsmen would pull the required 227 on their own before Rankin mis-timed a cut to Harry Tector at point and was out for 84 (12 fours and a six).

Porterfield however continued on his way thereafter; the Ireland skipper oozing class in the ideal conditions as he hit 14 fours in an unbeaten 110.

The visitors also lost David Barr (13) before the end however Niall OBrien was 10 not out when the winning run was scored.

Tectors 84 (9 fours) had earlier been a major factor in the home side getting up to their final total of 226- the YMCA all-rounder sharing in stands of 48 with both Graeme McCarter (16) and Jason Mulder (17). That latter partnership was for the 9th wicket and allowed the Knights to recover from a fairly precarious 171-8 on what was clearly a decent batting track.

James Shannon (41) looked dangerous while he was in the middle but after he was trapped lbw by Graham Kennedy (1-15 from 5 overs) the bowlers got on top and stayed there.

Davy Scanlon (4-60) was the most successful of the visitors attack although Andy McBrines 2-32 from 10 overs and Stuart Thompson with 2-49 also helped keep things in check. Graham Kennedy (1-15 from 5) and Craig Young (1-46 from 10) were also on the mark.

In truth this was a really telling performance from Ian McGregors charges albeit the challenge remains to see if they can narrow the gap to pace-setting Leinster Lightning.

At Stormont, North West Warriors beat Northern Knights by 8 wickets

Northern Knights 226 all out (47.1 overs; H Tector 84, J Shannon 41, D Scanlon 4-60, A McBrine 2-32, S Thompson 2-49)

North West Warriors 227-2 (46.3 overs; W Porterfield 110*, D Rankin 84)