CRICKET: Warriors lose out in Leinster

In the week where he became a father for the first time, O’Brien clubbed 4 fours and cleared the ropes twice as he top scored with 42 from just 24 balls to help Lightning post 169 for 7.

George Dockrell hit three sixes in his 11 ball knock as 23 came from the final over bowled by fellow Irish international Stuart Thompson.

Skipper Andy McBrine (2-21) was the pick of the Warriors attack, but he must have rued his decision not to give West Indian professional Oraine Williams (1-15) his full quota of overs.

In reply, Warriors lost David Rankin (4) early, and Stuart Thompson (17).

However McBrine and Fox Lodge’s overseas player Marco Marais got Warriors back into contention with a quickfire stand of 38.

With 71 needed from the final eight overs, the game was very much in the balance, but the wicket of McBrine for 26, which then saw a spell where three wickets fell in quick succession as Lightning closed out the game.