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Balbirnie stars as Leinster Lightning record comfortable win against NW Warriors

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Andrew Balbirnie enjoyed a day to remember as he helped Leinster Lightning to a comfortable 54 runs (D/L) win against North West Warriors in the Newstalk Inter-Provincial Cup at Strabane.
FINAL SCORECARD
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He celebrated the news that he’d signed a two-year contract extension with Middlesex by top scoring with 88 from 98 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) as Lightning scored 158 for 5 in 28 overs.

Balbirnie shared stands of 71 for the first wicket with Fintan McAllister (24), and 74 for the second with Stuart Poynter (30).

A lengthy rain resumption meant Leinster’s innings was curtailed to just 28 overs after play had stopped with the Dubliners on 103 for 1 in 23.3 overs. 55 runs were added in the remaining 27 balls with Balbirnie upping the tempo as he scored 39 runs from just 14 balls.

Andrew Balbirnie top scored with 88 from 97

Duckworth-Lewis upped the run chase equation for the Warriors to a daunting 215 in those 28 overs. Jason Milligan (0) went early, but David Rankin (44) and Stuart Thompson (30) both hit entertaining cameos to keep their team up with the rate.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, they kept losing wickets at crucial intervals, and despite an entertaining 46 from 34 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) by Donemana’s 17 year-old all-rounder Gary McClintock, they fell 54 runs short.

The experienced Albert van der Merwe claimed 3 for 30, while there were two wickets apiece for Eddie Richardson (2-24) and Balbirnie (2-27).

Leinster’s margin of victory ensured what could well be a crucial bonus point, which takes them two points clear at the top of the table.

The trophy will be decided next month when Lightning face Northern Knights in two contests at Waringstown on September 14, followed by a clash at Rathmines on Saturday September 20.

NEWSTALK INTER-PROVINCIAL CUP

At Strabane FINAL SCORECARD

LEINSTER LIGHTNING 158/5 (28 overs, A Balbirnie 88, S Poynter 30, F McAllister 24, C Young 2-22)

NORTH WEST WARRIORS 160 all out (23.1 overs, G McClintock 46, D Rankin 44, S Thompson 30, A van der Merwe 3-30. E Richardson 2-24, A Balbirnie 2-27)

Leinster Lightning won by 54 runs (D/L)

[2464] North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning – Newstalk IP50 – north-west-warriors-v-leinster-lightning-newstalk-ip50
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