North West Warriors draw with Leinster at Oak Hill

NIALL O’BRIEN and Steve Lazars dogged resistance denied Leinster Lightning victory on the final day of their Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship game at Oak Hill.
The pair shared a fourth wicket stand of 132 in 36 overs, which occupied most of the morning session The duo showed all of their experience in denying a determined Lightning attack, for whom George Dockrell was the star performer.
O’Brien top scored with 87 from 192 balls (13 fours), while Lazars made a defiant 62 from 119 deliveries (11 fours).
Even after both were dismissed along with Andy McBrine, the Warriors middle order battled manfully, with determined resistance from Stuart Thompson (40), Johnny Thompson (25) and David Rankin (22). Craig Young even curbed his natural attacking instincts to use up what was to prove a crucial 36 deliveries.
Warriors were eventually dismissed in the 109th over, with Dockrell having the excellent analysis of 6 for 67 in a marathon effort, while there were two wickets apiece for Eddie Richardson and Peter Chase.
With a target of 167 in 17 overs, Lightning attacked from the off, but despite a brave effort could only manage 123 for 3 when the players shook hands on the draw – Jack Tector top scoring with an unbeaten 48.
Lightning lead the table by two points ahead of the Warriors and Knights.
All the teams are back in action tomorrow (FRI) in the IP20 Trophy, when the Warriors entertain Munster Reds at Eglinton, while the Knights have home advantage against Lightning at Shaw’s Bridge – both games get under way at 5pm.
Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial Championship
Leinster Lightning v North West Warriors at Oak Hill, Day 3 of 3
North West Warriors 235 and 296 (108.4 overs; N O’Brien 87, S Lazars 62, S Thompson 40: G Dockrell 6-67)
Leinster Lightning 365-9 dec and 123-3 (16 overs; J Tector 48*, S Singh 27; S Thompson 2-17)
Match Drawn, Leinster Lightning 11pts, NW Warriors 8pts