Leinster Lightning go into the final day of the RSA Inter-Provincial Championship match against the North West Warriers in College Park concerned mainly that the weather will prevent them pressing home a victory. With two wickets down and still 100 runs behind, the final day of cricket, viewed as the hopeful precursor to the introduction of ‘First Class’ cricket at provincial level in Ireland, will see a return to the days of yore where teams battled adversary to eke out a draw with the odds heavily stacked against them. Whether the North West, drawn from clubs more renowned for their adventurous spirit , will be able to take on this task will, along with the weather, provide the likely storey line for today’s play.
An account of yesterdays play is contained in the Press Release from Cricket Ireland [reproduced below]. Again the match can be followed ‘ball by ball’ by going to ‘Live Scores’ on the Cricket Ireland website.
Leinster Lightning stay in control after second day at College Park
Leinster Lightning remain in control of their RSA Inter-Provincial clash despite a fight-back by the North West Warriors after the second day at College Park.
A last wicket partnership of 63 between Andrew Poynter (63*) and Albert van der Merwe (39) took their total to 319, extending the Leinster lead to 128 and leaving the NW Warriors facing an uphill task to salvage a draw on the final day. That task was made even more difficult as a pumped up Max Sorensen removed Kamran Sajjid (0) and Niall McDonnell (9) just before the end, as the Warriors finished on 22 for 2, still 106 runs in arrears.
Earlier, Bill Coghlan went in the first over of the day without any addition to his overnight total, but John Anderson (56) and Alex Cusack (31) added 68 for the 3rd wicket to blunt the attack.
Two wickets in quick succession just before lunch, including that of Leinster captain Kevin O'Brien for just a single gave the Warriors hope, and in the afternoon, a superb spell by former Irish international Peter Connell with the second new ball rejuvenated his team and looked to have altered the course of the match. Connell took 4 for 8 in nine overs to leave Leinster on 238 for 8, and suddenly the game was evenly poised.
Leinster Lightning bat deep and there can't be many better number 11's around than Albert van der Merwe as shown in what could well be a match winning partnership with Poynter. The stubborn stand seemed to demoralise the NW side who got kore and more frustrated as the stand progressed.
Leinster Lightning finish the second day in complete control and if the weather holds will be expected to complete a deserved victory.
The Warriors though have shown in the first innings that they have very capable batsmen down the order and will be determined to hold on for the draw.
RSA Inter-Provincial Championship, Day Two Close of Play Scorecard, At College Park
North West Warriors 191 all out and 22-2 (9 overs, M Sorensen 2-14) trail Leinster Lightning 319 all out (121.2 overs, B Coghlan 71, A Poynter 63*, J Anderson 56, A van der Merwe 39, A Cusack 31, P Collins 25, P Connell 4-59, I Hussain 2-46, A McBrine 2-46, J Thompson 2-55) by 106 runs.