The day began with Munster Reds again winning the toss and electing to bowl first.
Again things looked difficult in the opening overs with free-scoring from Andrew Balbirnie, Tim Tector and Chris De Freitas.
But Liam McCarthy and Peter Francis were able to combine expertly to make inroads. Soon after Lighting found themselves in trouble at 137-4, then 156-6 as wickets tumbled.
Gareth Delany got into the act with 3-31 (7) and getting the crucial wicket of De Freitas 45 (57). Munster Reds bowled them out but may have found the last few partnerships difficult to stomach after the middle order collapse.
In response, and a bit like yesterday in the IP20, Munster couldn’t get going in their chase. 16-1 and 18-2 quickly became 38-5 and 68-6.
The home side may have hoped from some respite in the middle overs to recover the chase, but the introduction of Gavin Hoey just wouldn’t allow it.
The wristspinner finished with 3-18 (5.1) in a highly impactful spell that kept up the pressure and extinguished any last hopes.
Munster Reds may have wondered how they found themselves in this position after a strong showing with the ball. But Leinster Lightning provided the more complete performance.
Scorecard here.
