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DUBLIN – The Munster Reds and Northern Knights both bounced back from heavy defeats yesterday with crushing victories over their more-fancied opponents in the Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy at Pembroke today.
After being beaten convincingly yesterday by the North West Warriors, the Northern Knights came out to bat with purpose and aggressive intent in this morning’s first match. They posted a highly competitive 174-7 from their 20 overs, and pleasingly for head coach Simon Johnston after yesterday’s batting woes, seven of the top eight batters got starts – the only downside being that no batter went on to post a decent score to build the innings around.

Luke Georgeson batted adventurously for his 31 from 18 balls, hitting 3 fours and a six as part of a 37-run opening stand from 26 balls with James McCollum (25).

Ruhan Pretorius, elevated up the order in the absence today of the injured Jeremy Lawlor, continued to punish the Lightning bowlers with a hard-hitting 31. Mark Adair (17) and Neil Rock (15) added middle order runs, but at 124-6 in the 16th over the Knights needed a big run rate push in the last four overs to post a competitive target.

Enter John Matchett and Ross Adair – the pair put on a quickfire 28 in three overs, however after hitting three sixes in short order, Matchett fell for 23 off 16 balls. Ross Adair continued on in the last over scoring 21 from 12 balls – the last three overs going for 33 runs.

Josh Little continued his good form taking 3-26 from his 4 overs, but the Knights had the momentum going into the break.

In response, the Lightning lost Kevin O’Brien early for 4, before Simi Singh (10) and Andrew Balbirnie (42) looked to recover and then build the run rate. However, Mark Adair induced Singh to chop the ball on to precipitate a middle order collapse. The Lightning lost 5-32 in 6 overs to find themselves at 73-6 after 13 overs.

Tim Tector (27), Barry McCarthy (24*) and Josh Little (27*) gave the Lightning innings some respectability – striking 5 sixes and 6 fours in the latter overs, but the target proved out of reach and the Leinster side finished on 152-8.

Player of the Match Ross Adair claimed 2-24 to finish a fine all-round contribution, with legspinner Ben White claimed 3-27.

MATCH SUMMARY

Leinster Lightning v Northern Knights, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Dublin, 19 June 2021

Knights 174-7 (20 overs; L Georgeson 31, R Pretorius 31; J Little 3-26)
Lightning 152-8 (20 overs; A Balbirnie 42; B White 3-27)

Knights won by 22 runs

• See full scorecard

In the second game of the day, the Munster Reds may have lost the toss but they were soon on top of the battle with the North West Warriors.

A combination of accurate bowling and loose shot selection had the men from the North West in trouble at 41-5 in the 8th over – with William McClintock’s 23 from 18 balls the only batting contribution of note to that point.

Captain Andy McBrine (41) and Graham Kennedy (24) then came together to post a 61-run sixth wicket stand, with four big sixes featuring in a true counter-attacking partnership. Both batters fell within the space of an over, and the Reds were back on top, with Josh Manley bowling an aggressive line at pace.

Jared Wilson stepped onto the field at number 9 and promptly hit 3 fours and a six, and his 28 from 12 balls gave the Warriors some hope, finishing on 146-9 from 20 overs.

Manley stood out with ball, along with Aaron Cawley (1-22) and Fionn Hand (2-26) gave the Reds a good chance for their first win.

The Reds got off to a flyer in the run chase – 20 runs coming from the first 11 balls, at which point Jack Carty fell to Andy McBrine for 16 off 8 balls. PJ Moor fell soon after, before Murray Commins (44) and Fionn Hand (16) put on a combative 40-run stand for the third wicket. Commins followed up his 51 yesterday against Leinster Lightning with an equally impressive knock today, but will be disappointed that he fell to a short of a length ball from Craig Young, hitting it straight down the throat of Nathan McGuire at deep square leg.

Matt Ford puts the ball into the neighbours backyard.

Reds need 22 to win from 24 balls, with 6 wickets in hand.

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— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 19, 2021

With the score on 105-4 in the 14thh over, at the crease stood the Ford brothers – Matt and Greg – who were determined to finish the run chase in style. The brothers hit two sixes each in a 42-run partnership in 24 balls. Player of the Match Matt finishing 39* from 25 balls, and Greg 15* from 10 balls.

The Reds recording a six wicket victory with 17 balls to spare.

All four teams return tomorrow with Leinster Lightning v North West Warriors in the morning, and Munster Reds v Northern Knights in the afternoon.

MATCH SUMMARY

Munster Reds v North West Warriors, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Dublin, 19 June 2021

Warriors 146-9 (20 overs; A McBrine 41; J Manley 3-34, F Hand 2-26)
Reds 147-4 (17.1 overs; M Commins 44, M Ford 39*; C Young 2-34)

Reds won by 6 wickets

• See full scorecard

Craig Easdown
Mark Adair hits out during the Northern Knights win
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Connaught