It’s not often rain is welcome at Stormont, but the Northern Knights were certainly grateful of its arrival which forced the abandonment of their interprovincial cup clash with the Warriors, giving them the two points they needed to secure the title and complete the double. Chasing 242, the hosts were rocked by the early loss of Irish internationals Paul Stirling and James McCollum in the space of six deliveries – both falling to Brigade seamer Ryan Macbeth. Cade Carmichael and Ross Adair were rebuilding the innings and had added 25 in five overs, reaching 44 for two when the game was called off. Earlier, the Warriors innings had been held together by Stephen Doheny, with the opener top-scoring with 79 from 97 balls which included eight fours and a six. Doheny shared a fifth-wicket stand of 53 with Graham Hume, who justified his promotion up the order by striking five boundaries in his steady 35. Cameron Melly has been one of the players of the season domestically in the North West, but has rarely flourished at interprovincial level this campaign. He did show glimpses of his undoubted talent here in a fluent run-a-ball 37 that added crucial late runs as the Warriors finished on 241 for 9. There were two wickets apiece for Theo van Woerkom, Matthew Humphreys, and the Adair brothers, with skipper Mark Adair delighted that his side won the double for the first time in the competition’s 11-year history.

Seamus Lynch with a whirlwind century and Gavin Hoey’s record six-wicket haul combined to spoil the Knights party as Leinster Lightning inflicted a painful 170-run loss to the title hopefuls at a sun-drenched Stormont. Early wickets for Mark Adair, Matthew Foster and Ruhan Pretorius – including former Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie – had Lightning in serious trouble at 47 for 4 still inside the powerplay. Chris De Freitas and skipper George Dockrell got the innings back on track with a fifth wicket stand of 63, but when left-arm spinner Theo van Woerkom accounted for both, the balance had once again tilted in the home side’s favour at 154 for 6. Clontarf all-rounder David Delany was joined by Seamus Lynch, the third choice keeper only in the team due to regular Lorcan Tucker’s participation in the Caribbean Premier League and an injury to back-up Mark Donegan.The dynamic of the contest altered dramatically as the pair shared a counter-attacking seventh wicket partnership of 150 in just 105 balls to take their side past 300. Delany hit 7 fours and a six in his 76 from 81 balls, but it was the 21 year-old Lynch that stole the show as he top-scored with 107 from only 63 deliveries – hitting 8 sixes and fours in the competition’s second fastest century, bettered only by Barry McCarthy last year. Lightning plundered 139 from the last 12 overs and a final total of 353 for 9 was always going to be a tough proposition for the hosts. That challenge became even more daunting with the early fall of the big hitting Ross Adair and James McCollum, but there was hope when Paul Stirling was joined by the in-form Morgan Topping, back at the scene of his memorable Challenge Cup final hundred. The pair produced a boundary laden stand of 90 for the third wicket, reaching 134 for 2 in the 19th over to give their side hope of a record chase. That hope was quickly extinguished by the introduction of Gavin Hoey, who dismissed Topping to spark a collapse of five wickets for just 13 runs. One of those was Ireland captain Stirling, who holed out for 66 (8 fours, 2 sixes) off Simi Singh, but it was the 21 year-old Trinity student Hoey who was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming a competition record 6 for 26 to ensure a bonus point win. All is not lost for the Knights who can still claim the title with victory on Thursday at home to the Warriors.

Curtis Campher passed his dress rehearsal at number three for Ireland’s upcoming ODI series against England as he helped Munster Reds go top of the table with an emphatic 115-run win over the Warriors at Bready. Ryan Macbeth (2-38) had the hosts in early trouble, but Campher shared stands of 57 with PJ Moor (23), and a match winning 90 in 15 overs with fellow international Gareth Delany. The only disappointment for the YMCA all-rounder was missing out on a deserved century, as he was brilliantly caught at cover by a leaping Scott Macbeth for 98 from 101 balls (12 fours, 1 six). Delany took up the mantle as he put the Warriors bowlers to the sword, being particularly severe on debutant Carson McCullough and seasoned performer Craig Young (2-75). He looked set for a hundred, but he too fell for 98, slicing a Graham Hume (2-40) full toss to Jared Wilson at point – having hit 6 sixes and fours in a belligerent 83-ball knock. A total of 306 for 8 looked a tough proposition, but the manner in which the Warriors top-order capitulated again will be of huge concern to Head Coach Boyd Rankin. Liam McCarthy and Josh Manley (2-24) reduced them to 32 for 5 to effectively end the match as a contest. Cameron Melly (44) and Jared Wilson (29) did offer some resistance in a sixth wicket stand of 85 in 16 overs, but McCarthy returned to dismiss both on his way to an impressive five-wicket haul that will have certainly caught the eye of Ireland Bowling Coach Ryan Eagleson. Ben White’s leg-spin took two wickets as the Warriors were bowled out for 191 in the 41st over.

Leinster Lightning went from the highs of a record total of 425 on Tuesday to their second lowest cup tally of 137 as they slumped to a 7-wicket loss against Munster Reds at The Mardyke. To be fair to the defending champions they were shorn of seven internationals for the game, and their much changed line-up was soon deep in the mire losing wickets in the first two overs to be 2 for 2. Seamus Lynch (31) and Gavin Hoey (37) resisted briefly but Josh Manley (4-30), Gareth Delany (3-24), and Liam McCarthy (2-28) were all on the money in an impressive display by the bowling unit. Mikey O'Reilly and debutant Sean McNicholl (1-4) struck two early blows, but a third wicket stand of 118 in 20 overs between Tyrone Kane and Ali Frost all but settled the contest. Kane made a run-a-ball 71 (9 fours, 2 sixes), while Frost also cleared the ropes twice in his unbeaten 48. The series resumes in three weeks when the remaining three matches will be played. Just four points separate the Knights in top place and the Warriors at the bottom. so it's certainly all to play for next month.

Neil Rock became the second Irish wicket-keeper to make a century in the space of 24 hours as Northern Knights went top of the table with a 52-run win over Munster Reds at The Mardyke. The left-hander hit a quickfire 102 from only 73 balls (9 fours, 7 sixes) sharing a destructive sixth wicket stand of 102 in only 9.3 overs with Mark Adair. 'Sparky' cleared the ropes 5 times in a belligerent 38-ball 61 as the Knights recovered from 46 for 3 and 131 for 5 to post 302 - runs too for Cade Carmichael (47) and Theo van Woerkom (21). The home side were reduced to 106 for 7 - four wickets for Van Woerkom - and it seemed as they would be able to begin the long trek back to Belfast early. However, Munster showed great spirit and backbone to deny them the bonus point win as the last three wickets put on 144. Liam McCarthy hit 10 fours and a six in his 74 from 56 deliveries, while Josh Manley - on loan from the Knights - followed up his three wickets with 44 (6 fours, 1 six). Munster are back in action on Thursday when they host Leinster.

Leinster Lightning flexed their muscles with a record-breaking display against the North West Warriors in their 50 overs interpro cup game at The Hills. Craig Young (4-61) had struck two early blows and when Graham Hume had Harry Tector caught behind for 0, the hosts were in trouble at 46 for 3. From that juncture though it was all one-way traffic as debutant Chris De Freitas scored a half century as he and Lorcan Tucker added 123 in 18 overs. Tucker and Dockrell then really stepped on the gas as they clubbed 154 in 14 overs for the 5th wicket. Tucker hit 15 fours and 6 sixes in his 133 from 93 balls - the second best individual score in the competition, behind PJ Moor - while Dockrell cleared the ropes 8 times in his 88 from 49 balls. Any hopes of respite for the beleaguered NW attack with their dismissals were quickly dispelled as Sam Harbinson (43* from 16 balls) and Fionn Hand (40* off 15 balls) hit four sixes apiece as they plundered 87 off the last 5 overs to finish on a competition record 425 for 7. Faced with such a daunting total Liam Doherty (30) and Stephen Doheny (26) shared an opening stand of 56, but once it was broken, they were bowled out for 181 with Simi Singh taking 4 for 39, and two wickets apiece for Gavin Hoey and Fionn Hand..Cian Robertson missed the game having injured his shoulder at the weekend. Much then to ponder for the Warriors and Head Coach Boyd Rankin on a day when Young apart - they were cruelly exposed by a motivated Lightning side.

The Knights missed the chance to go two wins clear at the top of the Table as the Warriors got home by three wickets with two balls to spare. After a century opening partnership in twenty overs between Adair and Pretorius the Knights lost wickets at regular intervals and with no acceleration in the final overs their 253 was somewhat less that they would have hoped. The Warriors matched the Knights bringing up their hundred in the twenty second over but with Doheny anchoring the innings they were always in touch and it only took a burst from Warriors skipper Getkate to provide the impetus that put them in a winning position.

Lightning's campaign finally off the mark thanks to an unbeaten 39 run eighth wicket partnership between Merrion's overseas professional Sam Harbinson and Barry McCarthy. Harbinson had earlier taken two wickets as part of an inexperienced Lightning attack that did well to bowl out the hosts for just 183. Stephen Doheny top scoring for the Warriors who found runs hard to come by in the early season conditions. Fionn Hand claimed three wickets and added 37 with Harbinson for the sixth wIcket. It was the Lightning bowlers who set up the win with the ball, and the Lightning bowlers who ultimately secured the points with the bat.

A sparkling 92 runs from Morgan Topping ensured that the Knights eased home in relative comfort, chasing down the Reds 269 with almost three overs in hand. Topping combined in partnerships of 87 with Cade Carmichael (62) and 92 with Neil Rock (39) in an innings of great maturity. Earlier Murray Commins had completed a century for the Reds after sharing an opening partnership of 106 with Alistair Frost but the Knights wrested back some control with Tom Mayes and Theo Van Woerkom each claiming three wickets. Two wins from two games played for the Knights who sit top of the table tonight.

A fantastic chase by Munster Reds with a 157 run partnership between Tyrone Kane and PJ Moor the highlight of an innings that saw 4 half -centuries scored. It was tough going for the Lightning at the start after they were asked to bat by the Reds, but an 88 run partnership between George Dockrell and Mark Donegan, after half the side was out for less than 100, steadied the ship. That vital 87 from Mark Donegan and some late hitting from Fionn Hand, Gavin Hoey and Barry McCarthy, who all scored 20's, gave Lightning a chance. Three wickets each for Tyrone Kane and Mick Granger with two for Curtis Campher. There was an excellent start to the reply by the Reds, with Commins and Frost building a platform, but Reuben Wilson upset the applecart with a 3 wicket burst in the 30th over, claiming both openers and then Curtis Campher first ball. At the final Drinks break the Reds still needed 136 off 16 overs with Tyrone Kane and PJ Moor at the wicket. That was down to 80 off the last 10, but a Sixes blitz, with 6 from Kane and 5 from Moor sealed the win. A five-wicket haul, the only five to fall, for young Reuben Wilson but the Reds were unstoppable today - what a game!

Ireland’s keeper Lorcan Tucker returned to domestic action with Leinster Lightning but his top score of 72 from 57 balls, with two sixes, was not enough to prevent the Northern Knights easing to a 66-run victory in the IP50 at Sydney Parade. Neil Rock, the Rush skipper, led the way for the Knights with a blistering 87 from 60 balls in a total of 316-8 from 50 overs and Lightning’s hopes faded when Harry Tector fell for a single. The home side were bowled out for 250.

The North West Warriors got their interprovincial campaign off to a perfect start as they secured a bonus point win, beating defending champions Munster Reds by six wickets at The Mardyke in Cork. Stand-in skipper Shane Getkate hit four sixes on his way to a Man-of-the-Match 56 not out. He shared stands of 63 with debutants Ani Chore, who made 33, and an unbroken 42 with Cameron Melly, who scored an unbeaten 27 as they reached their 150 target in the 40th over. Another pair of debutants were the bowling heroes for Boyd Rankin's side - Ardmore's Harry Zimmermann taking 4 for 36 and Eglinton professional Mike Erlank 3 for 21, while Brigade seamer Ryan Macbeth took two wickets as the Munster side slipped from 63 for 0 to 149 all out. The Warriors are back in action next week when they host Leinster Lightning at Bready on Tuesday. Before then Leinster Lightning are in action twice this week - hosting Northern Knights on Tuesday and Munster Reds on Thursday - both at Sydney Parade.