Anderson Stars As Leinster Lightning Edge Out Northern Knights

John Anderson top scored with 80 helping Leinster Lightning to a narrow two wicket win against Northern Knights in the final match of the Newstalk Inter-Provincial series at Rathmines.
Chasing a modest Knights total of 192, the home side lost Andrew Balbirnie (1), Fintan McAllister (1) and Cormac McLoughlin (5) to be in deep trouble at 12 for 3.

However Merrion all-rounder Andeson shared a fourth wicket stand of 118 with fellow Irish international John Mooney (60) to put Leinster firmly in the driving seat.

Mooney was trapped lbw by Phil Eaglestone, but Anderson looked to be steering Leinster to a comfortable win as he reached 80 from just 87 balls (10 fours, 1 six).

However, with 24 just needed, Tyrone Kane, Anderson and Albert van der Merwe fell in quick succession to offer the Knights late hope. Indeed, when Fiachra Tucker was run out with 12 still needed, the match was very much in the balance.

Barry McCarthy proved the man for the crisis as he struck an unbeaten 20 to get a nervy Leinster over the line despite the best efforts of Muckamore seamer Neil Gill (3-35) and Instonians all-rounder Stephen Bunting (2-35).

Earlier Knights skipper Andrew White had top scored with 44, sharing a crucial 6th wicket stand of 79 with Waringstown teenager Adam Dennison (35).

The pair had come together with the visitors reeling on 60 for 5, despite brief cameos from Lee Nelson (21) and Jason van der Merwe (20).

Tryone Kane (4-31) was the most successful of the Lightning attack, while YMCA spinner Yaqoob Ali (3-32) proved troublesome to all the Knights batsmen.

Leinster Lightning had already been crowned champions with their win at The Lawn last week, and had further cause for celebration when Andrew Balbirnie received the Newstalk Player of the Series Award from their cricket correspondent Odran Flynn.