It’s exam time at Trinity College and while the students relaxed after their endeavours at the pavilion today, Leinster Lightning put North West Warriors through a stern opening examination of their own on day one of the RSA Inter-Provincial Championship.
At stumps, the home side were 105 for one and trailing North West’s first innings by just 86 runs after a fine showing by Leinster’s seam bowlers helped restrict the visitors to 191 after winning the toss.
Making his debut at interpro level, Clontarf opening bat Bill Coghlan was undefeated on 71 at stumps after making the most of being dropped on 11 by unleashing a few cracking drives in an opening partnership of 99 with another debutant, Patrick Collins.
The Australia-born player, who holds an Irish passport through his Cork-born father, was trapped leg-before by North West skipper Iftikhar Hussain after making a patient 25.
It was to be one of the only bright spots for the Warriors, who were reduced to 89 for seven before a 73-run eighth-wicket stand between Jonny Thompson (45) and Andrew Riddles, who finished unbeaten on 47.
The wickets were well spread amongst the Leinster bowlers, with Max Sorensen, Eddie Richardson and skipper Kevin O’Brien taking two apiece.
RSA INTER-PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP (at College Park, Dublin): Day 1 of 3: North West Warriors 191 (65 ovs) (A Riddles 47no, J Thompson 45, R Ramoo 39; K O'Brien 2-12, M Sorensen 2-28, E Richardson 2-51), Leinster Lightning 105-1 (39 ovs) (B Coghlan 71no, P Collins 25).
