Jared Wilson was top scorer at the T20 Trophy festival in Comber yesterday but that was the only positive for the two Ulster teams as Munster Reds opened up a six-point lead after the first three rounds of matches.

That Newbuildings captain Wilson’s 72 came out of a North West Warriors total of 106 only underlined the chronic lack of support — Graeme Kennedy was second top score with 14 — as they fell exactly 100 runs short of the Reds total; the fifth highest in the 10th year of the competition.

It was the Warriors’ biggest defeat since the inaugural year when they were bowled out for 86 by Leinster Lightning. That day Tyrone Kane took three wickets and, one Test cap and nine T20 internationals later, he showed he can still produce when it matters.

Having hit 62 off 29 balls in the Reds’ onslaught against Lightning on Friday, Kane almost hit the 200 strike rate again yesterday with an unbeaten and chanceless 53 off 27 balls — three fours, five sixes — as this new look and strengthened Munster side piled up 206 for five.

Although Kane followed up with the wickets of internationals Shane Getkate and Warriors captain Andy McBrine in his two overs, it was Gareth Delany who was surprisingly named man of the match for his 40 from 18 balls and two late wickets, with the game long won.

Warriors didn’t help themselves with two dropped catches and a missed run out which cost 62 runs but the Reds will be the team to beat when the T20 inter-provincials resume in Bready on Friday-week.

Northern Knights have lost Harry Tector and David Delany from last season and with Paul Stirling now at Warwickshire, they are the weakest of the four teams.

They did well to bowl out Lightning yesterday for 176, taking the last eight wickets for 66 runs, but the batting line-up, which has still to post 150, again flattered to deceive.

Seven batsmen got into double figures but no-one reached 20 as spinner Simi Singh and Gavin Hoey shared seven wickets. Earlier, Singh and Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie put on 99 for the first wicket, Lightning’s highest opening partnership.

Meanwhile, Gaby Lewis warmed up for Ireland’s series against South Africa — starting on Friday — with a century for the Scorchers in their Super Series victory over the Dragons at Oak Hill yesterday.

Lewis, who will replace the injured Laura Delany as captain for all six matches, hit 122 of her side’s 297 for seven, dominating an opening stand of 121 with Rachel Delaney who scored 20.

Muckamore’s Amy Caulfield took the first three wickets, including Lewis, caught at fine leg by Molly Devine, but Shauna Kavanagh then scored 67 to put the Scorchers out of sight.

Amy Hunter was back in the Dragons side but her 26 was one of only three in double figures as they were bowled out for 124.