Cricket - Lightning complete comprehensive win over Warriors

Leinster Lightning won't now need another overnight stay in the North West after Albert van der Merwe's charges closed out an innings and four run victory over the Warriors at  a sunny Magheramason. It was an emphatic performance from the southerners who now look odds-on to complete a third successive clean sweep of the Hanley Energy trophies.

Fifteen wickets fell on an action-packed Wednesday and it was the same again on Day 2 as the visitors' class told.  Resuming on their overnight score of 80-5, Lightning lost Lorcan Tucker for 17 and George Dockrell for 14 leaving them 10 ahead with 3 wickets in the bank.

Unfortunately for the home side however, two of those were Kevin O'Brien and Eddie Richardson. The former had been 32 not out overnight and went on to make 74 (10 fours and a six) while Richardson, batting at Number 9, then shared a 70-run stand with Tyrone Kane (38) to totally frustrate Andy McBrine's team.

Richardson gave a chance early on that wasn't taken and he made sure the Warriors paid the full price- hitting 9 fours and a six in his demoralising 81 as Leinster responded to the Warriors first innings 122 with a total of 274 all out.

Despite the presence of a couple of rookie bowlers in their ranks it was the home side's more experienced performers that claimed the honours with the ball- Johnny Thompson returning figures of 3-61, Davy Scanlon 3-63 and Stuart Thompson 2-55.

A deficit of 152 looked a tall order for the Warriors batsmen on a track with something in it and so it proved as they failed to make Lightning bat again.  

Aaron Gillespie did his stock no harm with an impressive 51 (7 fours and a six) while Stuart Thompson looked in good nick on his way to 45 but it always looked in vain.  Andrew Balbirnie with 4-23 and George Dockrell (3-62) were the men who did the damage second time around as McBrine's men lost their last six wickets for the addition of just 45 runs to leave them all out for 148.

It was a disappointing end for the North West side after what has been a promising summer for them but plenty still for Leinster to play for with that clean sweep in their sights.  

HANLEY ENERGY INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Day 2 CLOSE)

At Magheramason, Leinster Lightning beat North West Warriors by an innings and four runs

Warriors 122 and 148 all out (50.1 overs; A Gillespie 51, S Thompson 45, D Rankin 20, A Balbirnie 4-23, G Dockrell 3-62, T Kane 2-18)

Lightning 274 all out (81 overs; E Richardson 81, K O'Brien 74, T Kane 38, J Thompson 3-61,D Scanlon 3-63, S Thompson 2-55)