An unbeaten 94 from captain George Dockrell guided the Lightning to a three-wicket victory over the Knights at Stormont with 9 balls to spare.
His 140-run partnership with John Anderson for the 5th wicket took the Lightning to the brink of victory, before three wickets in four balls made things more difficult.
After restricting the Knights to 235/9 off their allocation the Lightning slipped to 69/4 before Dockrell and Anderson steadied the ship.
At the toss, James Shannon asked the Lightning to bowl and they set about their task with plenty of grit and determination on another scorching hot day.
“It’s been a long three weeks grind for so many players,” George Dockrell said after the game. “It was important we put that to one side and focused on this game as a Lightning squad.”
Peter Chase, who had a memorable week in Malahide for Ireland, made the first breakthrough. His full and straight delivery trapped Dennison (22) LBW in the 14th over leaving the Knights 56/1.
Wickets then fell at regular intervals leaving the Knights 141/6 with 17 overs remaining.
The bowlers ensured there were no boundaries for 9 overs before Max Sorensen (3-49) and Dockrell (2-40) took three wickets in quick succession to leave the Knights down for less than 200.
Harry Tector hit an unbeaten 68 to take the Knights up to 235 but on a good pitch the Lightning were happy that the score was probably forty or fifty below par.
That was thanks to a disciplined and energetic performance in the field from the Lightning restricting their hosts to 235/9.
Gareth Delany got the chase underway with a run-a-ball 26 which included a stunning 6 that cleared the trees and landed on the adjoining back pitch behind the bowler’s arm.
However, the Lightning had slipped to 69/4 in the 20th over when Dockrell joined John Anderson at the crease.
The pair added 140 for the 5th wicket with a magnificent partnership combining beautiful shot-making and fine running.
Anderson stroked seven boundaries in his brilliant 75 before Andre Malan bowled him 27 runs short of the target.
Despite the quick loss of Tucker and Kane, Dockrell hit a massive straight six of his own to settle the nerves before Eddie Richardson’s boundary in the 48th over really broke the chase.
Fittingly, it was left to Dockrell to strike the winning runs.
Dockrell pulled successive boundaries, first to fine leg, then to long leg to seal a three-wicket victory with nine balls to spare.
“It was great to get the victory today,” said Dockrell. “The lads showed our team spirit to fight hard for 50 overs in the field and restrict the Knights total.
“Delighted to be amongst the runs again myself but we want to bat positively and see someone go big. We want to winning trophies again this season and it’s great to get another victory on the board.”
Attention now turns to the T20 Festival at Pembroke CC this weekend which will be live streamed throughout and further details to follow.
InterProvincial 50-Over Cup, Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning
At Stormont;
Northern Knights 235/9 (H Tector 68*, J McCollum 42; M Sorensen 3-49, S Singh 3-49)
Leinster Lightning 239/7 (G Dockrell 94*, J Anderson 75; A Malan 3-51)
Leinster Lightning win by 3 wickets