CORK – Leinster Lightning remained in the drivers seat in the race for the title after a sublime team performance saw the Dublin side brush aside Munster Reds in a rain-affected Test Triangle Inter-Provincial Series match at The Mardyke.
In a T20 match reduced to 13 overs-a-side due to rain interruptions, the Lightning’s bowlers set the tempo of the day, reducing the home side to 33-4 in the 8th over. Tim Tector (16) and JJ Garth (22) looked to counter-punch in the middle order, but wickets fell in the final three overs and the Reds were restricted to 76-8 from their allotted overs.
All six Leinster bowlers who bowled took a wicket, with captain George Dockrell claiming a brace.
In reply, in-form Kevin O’Brien fell for two and opening partner Stephen Doheny for four, however, a 53-run partnership from 38 balls between Lorcan Tucker (28*) and Tyrone Kane (25) took the game away. Kane fell late, but a cameo 12 from 5 balls from Curtis Campher concluded the run chase.
The Lightning claimed a bonus point and remain three points clear of Northern Knights with two matches to play.
Meanwhile in Comber the Knights had a dominant 8 wicket win with Mark Adair claiming 4-14 from 4 overs, before James McCollum bludgeoned 79* from 53 balls to see the Knights home with 32 balls to spare.
SCORES
Munster Reds v Leinster Lightning, Test Triangle Inter-Provincial Trophy, 1 September 2020, The Mardyke
Munster Reds 76-8 (13 overs; JJ Garth 22; G Dockrell 2-12)
Leinster Lightning 77-3 (9.4 overs; L Tucker 28*, T Kane 25; A Cawley 1-7)
Leinster Lightning won by 7 wickets
Full scorecard
TABLE
P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | NRR | |
Leinster Lightning | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 3.817 |
Northern Knights | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1.809 |
Munster Reds | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -4.111 |
North West Warriors | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -2.013 |