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The Merrion all-rounder scored 48* off 64 balls, including six fours, and took 2-25 with the ball, while his Lightning team-mate Mark Donegan took five catches and a stumping to equal the Inter-Provincial Cup record alongside Chris Dougherty (2013) and Paul Jackson (1990).
Fielding the more experienced line-up, the Warriors started brightly, with opening pair Stephen Doheny and Ani Chore putting up 49 for the first wicket. Fionn Hand then took two wickets – Chore and Andy McBrine, before Harbinson claimed two of his own – Doheny, four runs short of a half-century, and Scott Macbeth.
At 112-4 after 24 overs the Warriors needed to re-build, however, moments later the game was turned on its head. A spectacular, deadly accurate throw from Mikey O’Reilly saw Shane Getkate run out. The energy the young Lightning side got from that run out was clear for all to see. William McClintock hit a breezy 23, but the Lightning attack of Hand, Barry McCarthy, and Gavin Hoey, took care of the lower order as the Warriors were bowled out for a modest 183.
With the Lightning chasing what appeared to be a reasonable target, the loss of two wickets – Tim Tector and Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin – didn’t look overly concerning. Jack Tector and Greg Ford combined well to score 58 for the third wicket. However, both Tector and Ford departed in the space of three balls with the Lightning 88-4 after 20 overs.
In came Player of the Match Sam Harbinson at number six and he played with composure throughout, taking responsibility on his shoulders and built reasonable partnerships with Hand (37) and McCarthy (39), as they reached their target with 4.4 overs to spare.
The Warriors return to Bready this coming Thursday, 25 May as they take on Northern Knights at 10.45am (local time).
MATCH SUMMARY
North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning, Inter-Provincial Cup, Bready, 23 May 2023
North West Warriors 183 (44.4 overs; S Doheny 46, S Macbeth 23; F Hand 3-51)
Leinster Lightning 184-7 (45.2 overs; S Harbinson 48*, J Tector 39; R Macbeth 2-45)
Leinster Lightning won by 3 wickets
