Northern Knights and North West Warriors recorded convincing wins on the opening day of the T20 competition in Cork, with Man-of-the-Match displays from Neil Rock and Trent McKeegan.

Neil Rock and Morgan Topping's 116-run partnership propelled Northern Knights to 236/3 - their highest T20 total and third best in the competition history.

Batting first Ross Adair (23) and Ruhan Pretorius laid the platform with an opening stand of 61 in 7 overs.

Pretorius cleared the ropes 5 times in his 53 as the Knights took full advantage of anything loose.

Morgan Topping's excellent early season form continued as he hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in a stylish 30-ball unbeaten 57.

The real damage came with the arrival of Rock, with the left-hander pummeling the weakened Lightning attack as he crashed 8 fours and 6 sixes in a whirlwind 79 from just 26 balls - his stand with Topping occupying just 43 deliveries.

Lightning threatened briefly as Greg Ford (31) and Mark Donegan added 76 for the fourth wicket.

However, scoreboard pressure told with four wickets for Tom Mayes and two apiece for Theo van Workoem and Ruhan Pretorius.

A 5th wicket stand of 54 in 25 balls between the Brigade duo of Scott Macbeth and Cameron Melly helped the Warriors to a bonus point six wickets win over Munster Reds in the opening game of the T20 Festival at The Mardyke.

Chasing 121, the NW had reached 71 for 4 in the 12th over, with two wickets for Liam McCarthy. The game at that point could have gone either way, but Ireland Under 19 international Macbeth played fearlessly, striking 5 fours and a six in his unbeaten 40 from 24 balls, and found a equally positive partner in Melly whose unbeaten 30 took just 13 balls, with 4 fours and 2 sixes - the last of which secured the extra point from the last ball of the 16th over.

The Warriors severely depleted bowling unit made light of their missing international quartet to dismiss the hosts for just 120 - well short of par.

Newbuildings pacer Trent McKeegan took 4 for 24, while there were two wickets apiece for Cian Robertson and Ryan Macbeth.

Gareth Delany (28) and Liam McCarthy (22) were the main contributors to a disappointing batting display.

In Wednesday's matches, Lightning face the Warriors at 11, followed by Munster Reds against the Knights at 3.30pm.