Overnight it was hard to see anything other than a draw resulting between the Lightning and the Knights on the final day, overnight rain and damp practice wickets ensured that became a formality after just two hours play on Thursday.
Pembroke’s own Andrew Balbirnie (85 off 178 balls, 11x4s) could only add four to his overnight score before Nathan Smith clipped the top of his off stump. In doing so, Balbirnie missed out on a third First Class century.
Lightning skipper George Dockrell, just 16 not out overnight, played some glorious shots and continued his impressive season with the bat. He hit the fastest half-century of the Lightning innings off 97 balls, cracking 8 boundaries.
Incredibly, Dockrell’s 50 was the eighth of the match between the two sides without anyone going on to make a hundred.
In the final hour, Lorcan Tucker and Eddie Richardson, took advantage of the brilliant batting wicket to play some fine shots of their own. All the while however, there was also a sense of the game meandering towards its conclusion.
By Tea at 4.40 the Lightning had got up to and passed the Knights declaration, and for the loss of fewer wickets too. Their 448/7 reflecting well on the Knights 440/9 declared for a first innings lead.
As the captains shook hands on the draw at the start of the final hour it was of little consolation to the Lightning, who had seen the IPC trophy go to the North West Warriors in July.
Instead the Lightning look towards the winner takes all contest against the Warriors in the InterProvincial Cup (50-over) competition on Sunday.
With one competition victory each this season, it is true decider for Winter bragging rights.
Action on Sunday September 9th gets underway at 10.15am in Leinster CC, Rathmines.
Hanley Energy IPC Leinster Lightning v Northern Knights, Day 3 of 3
At Sydney Parade, Pembroke CC
Northern Knights 440/9d 109.3 overs (J McCollum 93, M Adair 91, M Ellison 64, H Tector 52; S Singh 28-7-75-3, T Kane 19-4-35-2)
Leinster Lightning 448/7 125 overs (J Tector 87, A Balbirnie 85, G Dockrell 55, S Doheny 50; J Cameron-Dow 30-4-92-2, S Getkate 17-2-74-1, G Kidd 25-4-75-1)
Match Drawn