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The Leinster Lightning got their 2014 season underway with a 110 run win over an Ireland under-19 XI in their 50-over challenge match under sunny skies at Claremont Road yesterday.
The YMCA ground looked a picture in the fine weather and Leinster Lightning skipper John Mooney had no hesitation in electing to bat after winning the toss. It had been agreed in advance of the game that twelve players could take part, with eleven batting and any of the twelve being allowed to bowl.

There was one last-minute change to the named Lightning line-up, with Pembroke batsman Theo Lawson coming in for the injured Andrew Poynter

Some impressive bowling by the under-19 opening bowlers Mark Adair and Rory Anders restricted the early run-rate of the Lightning opening pair of Lawson and Ben Ackland, but neither could make the vital breakthrough and ended their first six-over spell with credible figures of 0-10 and 0-23 respectively.

The Lightning openers began to increase the scoring momentum steadily thereafter before coach Trent Johnston decided to take the opportunity to have a look at The Hills’ Cormac McLoughlin, playing in his first match for the Lightning, and retired Ackland on 47. This was soon followed by the retirement of Theo Lawson for an excellent 53 who was replaced by Merrion’s John Anderson.

McLoughlin departed soon after to the impressive spin bowling of Coleraine’s Rishi Chopra. Tyrone Kane made a solid 29 at better than a run a ball before he became Chopra’s second victim, out to a sharp return catch by the bowler.

Runs were now flowing freely for the Lightning batsmen with the skipper Mooney (23) and Barry McCarthy (26*), who replaced the retired Anderson (39*) midway through the final ten overs, pushed the team past 250 and set the under-19 XI an imposing 255 runs for victory.

In reply, the under-19’s innings never got going in the face of some controlled in-swing from debutant Bilal Azhar who struck the first blow, removing the skipper Jack Tector for 6 in the 10th over. All of the Lightning bowlers bowled solidly with the wickets being shared around with John Anderson (3-11), Azhar (2-19) and Barry McCarthy in particularly good form with the ball.

For the Ireland under-19 XI Sonny Cott (26) and Lorcan Tucker (32) both displayed an array of impressive shot-making, as the youngsters batted with heart and did well to take the match into the 41st over where they were eventually all out for 144.

The Leinster Lightning get their Inter-Provincial campaign underway on Saturday May 3rd when they take on the North West Warriors at The Hills Cricket Club in Inter-Provincial Cup 50-over tournament.

At Claremont Road:
Leinster Lightning: 254-3 – T. Lawson (53 retired); B. Ackland (47 retired); J. Anderson (39 retired) / R. Chopra (2-46); R. Anders (1-35)

Ireland under-19 XI: 144 all out – L. Tucker (32); S. Cott (26) / J. Anderson (3-11); B. Azhar (2-19); B. McCarthy (2-20)

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