Leinster were quickly on top of their home game at College Park.
In their reply, Leinster's openers Patrick Coghlan and Bill Coghlan got off to a flying start. Coghlan impressed in particular, contributing almost all of the opening partnership of 99. He finished with 71, the first of four victims to the tidy glovework of Ricky-Lee Dougherty behind the stumps. John Anderson and Alex Cusack also built a partnership, but when it was broken, a collapse of seven wickets for 80 was triggered. Peter Connell was instrumental in the destruction, with a fantastic spell of four for eight in nine overs. The Warriors had fought right back into the game, but hadn't counted on the depth of the Leinster batting. Albert van der Merwe, who is a genuine all-rounder in his Leinster Premier League side, accumulated an accomplished 39 from number eleven, and played a vital hand in a game-turning partnership of 63 with Andrew Poynter.
That partnership knocked all the momentum out of the North West sails, and it was momentum that they couldn't re-gather. The visitors were unable to assemble a partnership of any more than 28, and it was clear from quite early on that they would be intending to bat time. David Rankin, brother of Boyd, was instrumental in the resistance, hanging around for 41 overs for his 29. Andrew Riddles once again played a fine hand from number eight, this time posting 31 before he fell to Albert van der Merwe's off-spin.
Max Sorensen of The Hills impressed with the ball.
The Warriors's next game will be at home against the Knights in the Trophy on Sunday. There will of course be a Popping Crease report of the game. Until then, ciao.
North West CU - 191 ao Andrew Riddles - 47* (107) Johnny Thompson - 45 (85) Kevin O'Brien - 2/12 (7) Max Sorensen - 2/28 (15) and 153 ao Andrew Riddles - 31 (77) David Rankin - 29 (115) Max Sorensen - 4/50 (25) Kevin O'Brien - 2/13 (5) | Leinster CU - 319 ao Bill Coghlan - 71 (121) Andrew Poynter - 63* (128) Peter Connell - 4/59 (27) Andrew McBrine - 2/46 (17.1) and 22/5 Pat Collins - 10 (11) Kevin O'Brien - 6 (3) Johnny Thompson - 2/6 (2) Peter Connell - 2/15 (2) |