However, it was Eddie Richardson, an unlikely batting hero perhpaps, who made sure that his side had something good to bowl at. He manoeuvred the field well in a near run-a-ball 74 that contained just five boundaries, until he finally took one risk too many and was caught short by James Shannon. Stephen Moreton tried to pick up where Richardson left off, and although the teenage Peter Eakin kept his head at the death, the Lightning soldiered on to a solid 243.
Peter Eakin made the difference in both disciplines.
That someone was someone who had already dealt superbly with the pressure of death overs once in this game: Peter Eakin. His innings was crucial; he came out to the crease, and was busy, looking to push good balls for runs, and to punish the poor balls. He was particularly quick on the cut shot, using it to strike a boundary early in his innings, then to lift a six over third man, and finally to notch up the winning runs. At just eighteen years of age, Peter Eakin is part of a very promising young generation of Irishmen.
Leinster Lightning - 243/9 Eddie Richardson - 74 (79) Stephen Moreton - 32 (43) Peter Eakin - 3/44 (10) Nigel Jones - 2/23 (10) | Northern Knights - 246/7 Lee Nelson - 62 (64) Nick Larkin - 61 (92) Tyrone Kane - 3/30 (6) Max Sorensen - 3/39 (9.1) |
Northern Knights Leinster Lightning North West Warriors | Won/Tied/NR/Lost 2 / 0 / 1 / 1 2 / 0 / 0 / 1 0 / 0 / 1 / 2 | Points 10 8 2 |