Heavy rain in Belfast meant only 29.1 overs were possible on the first day of the Interprovincial Championship match at Stormont between the Northern Knights and Leinster Lightning.

In the play that did take place, defending champions Leinster Lightning will be happy with their progress - scoring 73 for 1 - after being put in by Knights skipper Lee Nelson.

The wicket to fall was that of Fintan McAllister - who after patiently seeing off the new ball - fell to a fine catch at first slip by Chris Dougherty from the bowling of his CIYMS colleague James Cameron-Dow.

McAllister had made an obdurate 12 from 58 balls (2 fours) sharing an opening stand of 52 with John Anderson.

Merrion batsman Anderson is seen as something of a specialist in the longer form of the game, and he played some lovely fluent drives as he finished the abbreviated day unbeaten on 45 (7 fours).

The Knights seam bowling triumvirate of Phil Eaglestone, Robert McKinley and Shane Getkate all bowled well in spells - especially Ballymena's McKinley - but too often allowed the batsmen width.

At Stormont, Day 1 of 3

LEINSTER LIGHTNING 73-1 (29.1 overs, J Anderson 45*, F McAllister 12, S Singh 8*, J Cameron-Dow 1-5)