LIGHTNING FIGHTBACK SHOCKS NERVY KNIGHTS

The first Interprovincial fixture of the new season served up a real topsy-turvy contest that went the way of Leinster Lightning after John Mooney's charges got the better of a fascinating T20 encounter with the Northern Knights.

Andrew White won the toss on an early season track and the home skipper duly asked the visitors to take first use. It wasn't long before the Knights were in business either; Phil Eaglestone bowling John Anderson in the 4th over, the batsman's share of a 20-run stand with Kenny Carroll just a single.

James Cameron-Dow was introduced into the attack early and despite going for 11 from his first three deliveries the left arm spinner fought back to dismiss Eoghan Delany for 3 next ball. Carroll's bright cameo ended soon after when Gary Kidd struck first up to remove the opener for 28 (3 fours and a six) to leave the tournament favourites struggling on 38 for 3 in the 7th.

International team-mates Andrew Poynter and Kevin O'Brien took that to 67 before Peter Eakin became the third player to take a wicket in his first over; the North Down man dismissing O'Brien for 13 just before half way.

Skipper Mooney (11) was the only other Leinster player to get into double figures in the lower half of their order, so it was left to Poynter to show his class as the southerners headed towards a respectable total.

Poynter anchored the innings superbly, bringing up his half century with a big six from the final ball of the 20 to finish unbeaten on 52 (5 fours, 2 sixes).

All of that meant that the visitors closed on 144-7, which looked par at the time, with Kidd (2-17) and Eakin (2-21) sharing the Knights' bowling honours.

The Belfast side's reply suggested that there were fewer demons than first thought as Nigel Jones and Chris Dougherty came flying out of the traps. The opening pair put on 72 at their leisure before Anderson joined the first-over wicket club when he had Dougherty caught on the boundary by Delany for 18.

Straight away at the other end O'Brien bowled new man James Shannon for a first ball duck and when Lee Nelson managed to get run out for 2 soon after, there were signs of life back in the tie. The anxiety in the home dressing room will have increased again when Mooney brought himself on to bowl at this point and trapped Greg Thompson bang in front for the second “golden duck” of the innings.

Suddenly 72-0 was 85-4 and Jones was now key; the CIYMS all-rounder passing 50 with another superb boundary. Just as he looked like taking his side home however he tried one big shot too many and was caught on the rope by Mooney off Sorensen for 61 (46 balls-5 fours, 3 sixes).

Skipper White and Shane Getkate tried to get their team back in front but some really tidy bowling from Eddie Richardson in particular turned the screw. Worse was to follow for the batting side too as Tyrone Kane then removed Getkate and Eakin in successive balls and the same bowler then went on to pick up the Interprovincial series' first ever hat-trick with the first delivery of the next over- removing White for 17.

The game may have looked up, however another late twist looked possible when Gary Kidd added a late unbeaten 19 to take it to the wire, but was unable to hit the six off Sorensen's final delivery that would have made the game a tie.

Kane (3-21) was the most successful of the visitors attack but Richardson's 0-16 from 4 was a telling contribution as the visitors got home by 5 runs.