The Emerging Knights got their season up and running with a 17-run win over the Warriors in a game reduced to 31 overs due to the morning rain.
Newbuildings paceman Trent McKeegan’s (4-43) early burst had the hosts in trouble at 46 for 4, and wickets for teenagers Charlie Downey (3-20) and Josh Wilson (2-28) has them in further trouble at 95 for 7, despite runs for Ollie Metcalfe (29) and skipper Paddy Beverland (28).
The game changed though with Carson McCullough’s quickfire 47 from 37 balls (5 fours), adding 53 for the 8th wicket with Harry Dyer.
A final total of 176 gave the Knights something to bowl at, and they made the perfect start as Dyer accounted for Liam Doherty second ball.
Ben Snell and Adam Kennedy removed Marcus Poskitt and Gavin Roulston cheaply to leave the Warriors on 23 for 3.
A fourth wicket stand of 88 in 13 overs between Raymond Curry (39) and Scott Macbeth (37) brought them right back into the contest and at 111 for 3 in the 22nd over they were probably favourites.
However, the run out of Curry proved the turning point, and with McCullough taking three wickets, the Knights closed out a 17-run win. The sides meet again tomorrow at the same venue in a T20 contest.
A second wicket stand of 110 between Swapnil Modgill and Chris De Freitas powered Lightning Bolts to a 22-run win over Munster Heat at The Mardyke.
Merrion opener Modgill top-scored with a rapid 70 off 47 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes), while Balbriggan all-rounder De Freitas made 58 (4 fours, 3 sixes).
Clontarf teenager John McNally added late runs as he cleared the ropes three times in a quickfire unbeaten 34 from 16 deliveries.
A final total of 192 for 4 looked challenging and even more so after the first over of the reply with Mikey O'Reilly removing Jack Buss and Irish passport holding South African Jordan Neill.
The home side rallied though, with Devon Joyce hitting four maximums in an enterprising 47.
There were decent cameos too from Eshan O'Sullivan (32*), Shivam Kislay (23) and a pair of 20s for Matty Brewster and Ryan Joyce.
Munster finished on 170 for 7 in an entertaining contest.
The sides meet again tomorrow at the same venue in a 50 overs game.