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Half centuries from Andrew Poynter and Kevin O’Brien ensured Leinster Lightning travelled home with a six-wicket win after three quick wickets following a rain delay had given the Knights hopes of an opening day victory in the Hanley Energy IP50.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Northern Knights soon found themselves in trouble as Eddie Richardson (3-40) struck in his second over to dismiss both Nigel Jones (2) and Lee Nelson (4) to leave the Knights 6-2 in the third over.

Civil Service North professional Mansoor Amjad only managed 11 on his Hanley Inter-Provincial debut, with Chris Dougherty (32) and the in-form Jamie Holmes (41) leading the recovery for the Knights as they took their time and ensured there was a platform from which to build a big total.

Once Dougherty and Holmes departed it seemed like the Knights might struggle to post a competitive total at 154-6, but an excellent 61 from Greg Thompson helped push the Knights past the 200 mark with time to spare.

But two wickets in an over from Kevin O’Brien (2-32) stemmed the flow of runs allowing Tyrone Kane (2-32) to pick up the final wicket and finish the innings two balls early, leaving the Lighting needing 222 to win.

Dom Joyce opened the batting for the Lighting and got off to a flying start striking five boundaries on his way to 30, before he was dismissed by Knights debutant Graeme McCarter, who, after a short rain delay also picked up the wicket of John Anderson (5).

Simi Singh lasted 11 balls but failed to trouble the scorers before he was dismissed, and when opener Fintan McAllister also fell for 30 the Knights suddenly found the momentum swinging in their favour, with three quick wickets after the restart leaving the Lightning 78-4.

With weather still around and the threat of Duckworth-Lewis-Stern coming into play, experienced Ireland internationals Kevin O’Brien and Andrew Poynter steadied the ship for the Lightning and then quickly blasted their way ahead of the par score to relieve pressure and force the Knights into attack.

With the Knights desperately in search of a wicket to break the O’Brien – Poynter partnership, opening bowler Phil Eaglestone couldn’t hold on to a caught and bowled opportunity after Poynter hit one back at him, the chance coming at a crucial point when a wicket could have seen the Knights come back into the game.

It was not to be for the Knights though, and the pair took control of the game and other than that one chance never really looked to be in trouble as first O’Brien (89*), and then Poynter (56*) brought up their half centuries as part of an unbeaten 148-run stand that ensured the Lightning head back down the road with a win although the Knights can be satisfied that they prevented the Lightning from taking a bonus point from the fixture.

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