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The Munster Reds have returned to Inter-provincial action and almost came back with a bang on opening night. Meanwhile defending champions the Leinster Lightning began with a convincing win at the North West Warriors
The presence of Munster Reds in the Hanley Energy Inter-provincial T20 competition has added an extra frisson of excitement and a dash of colour to Cricket Ireland’s domestic 20-over competition. A vibrant, competitive team playing out of Munster will provide extra depth and extra talent for Irish fans to see at close quarters.
The Munster Reds made their return to competitive action on Friday May 26th when they entertained the Northern Knights, who were led south by their captain James Shannon. Stephan Grobler and his team were ready and waiting; bolstered by some members of the National Academy and the Leinster Union a tight contest was hoped for.

Speaking before the game, Munster Reds coach Ted Williamson had said that no matter what activities and plans were in place around the match, at the end of the day, it would all come down to the players and how they performed.

What an enthralling night’s cricket they produced.

When the Knights were seemingly taking the game away from the Reds, 82 for 2 off just 8, captain Grobler and the bowlers brought them back into the game. The Knights were 123/8 after 15 overs when the rain intervened for a second time and on the resumption the Reds required 121 off 15 overs for victory.

Jack Tector hit a magnificent 59 from 40 balls but when the players left the field due to bad light after 13 overs and the Reds 92/5, there was to be no fairy-tale for the Reds. Behind by 9 on DL, the Knights won a thriller late on Friday evening, escaping from the Mardyke with the points.

Trying to attract a cricket fan base where there is a small but growing support compared to the other unions, will only be helped by competitive, entertaining cricket such as was delivered. Not to mention a little sense of injustice that the elements conspired to win the day. Another Munster ‘Sea of Red’ used everything to their advantage in building the foundations of a successful era.

While this drama played out at The Mardyke, 500 kilometres away at Bready Cricket Club, the North West Warriors hosted the defending champion Leinster Lightning. The Lightning had a number of their internationals playing but also promoted some of their younger contingent and the blend of youth and experience proved too much for the Warriors.

Opening the batting Andy, Balbirnie struck a brisk 44 and was ably supported by Ireland’s newest international Simi Singh who made 27. Some hard hitting at the back end from Max Sorenson and George Dockrell took the Lightning passed 150, setting a target of 154 for the Warriors to chase.

Having made 29* with the bat, George Dockrell continued with the ball taking wickets 4.5 and 6; including opposition skipper Andy McBrine. When the Warriors were reduced to 42/6 with the loss of Ricky-Lee Dougherty, it was always going to be a hard road back.

It was a quality bowling effort all round from Leinster who saw Bobby Gamble take his first wicket for the Lightning and Eddie Richardson taking a very impressive 3-11 off his 3 overs. All in all it was a strong performance from the defending champions which not only got them the win but also a bonus point.

Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Trophy

At Magheramson, Leinster Lightning beat NW Warriors by 56 runs

Leinster Lightning 153-8 (20 overs; A Balbirnie 44, G Dockrell 29*, S Singh 27, M Sorensen 23, A McBrine 3-19)
North West Warriors 97 all out (17 overs; J Robinson 38*, E Richardson 3-11, G Dockrell 3-20, K O’Brien 2-14)

At The Mardyke, Northern Knights beat Munster Reds by 9 runs (DLS)
(Par score 101 in 13 overs)

Northern Knights 123-8 (15 overs; A Dennison 33, G McCarter 25, S Grobler 3-12, H Tector 2-18, M Neville 2-22)
Munster Reds 92-5 (13 overs; J Tector 59, J Mulder 2-8, G Kidd 2-25)

Cricket Ireland
The Munster Reds squad that made the provinces return to Inter-Provincial cricket
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