News

STORMONT – North West Warriors had their moments on opening day, but the Northern Knights did just enough to see off the challenge to kick things off with a win.

In the second game of the opening day in the Inter Provincial 50 over cup, North West Warriors won the toss against Northern Knights and opted to bat first.

Sam Topping and Andrew Balbirnie who were both making their debuts for the Warriors put on 217 for the first wicket with Topping scoring the first hundred of the competition this year.

Balbirnie eventually fell for 91 and the loss of regular wickets began to bring the Knights back into the game.

The Warriors eventually finished on 283 for 5 with Tom Mayes the pick of the bowlers for the home side.

In response the Northern Knights put on 128 for the first wicket with James McCollum eventually dismissed in the 20^th over.

Regular wickets then gave North West Warriors a chance back into the game with Scott MacBeth in particular proving effective.

Northern Knights captain Neil Rock then led the fightback with a run a ball innings to get his sides chase back on track, however the Warriors continued to chip away with wickets.

A partnership of 64 between Jordan Neill and Tom Mayes then saw the home side to victory by four wickets in the 47^th over to get their first points in the competition.

MATCH SUMMARY

Northern Knights v North West Warriors, IP50, Stormont – 7 May 2025

North West Warriors 283-5 (50 overs; S Topping 120; T Mayes 3-66)

Northern Knights 286-6 (46.1; C Carmichael 86, S MacBeth 4-44)

Northern Knights won by four wickets

Scorecard here.