A 158-run opening stand between William Porterfield and David Rankin helped the North West Warriors post a comprehensive 8-wicket win over the Northern Knights in Monday’s Interprovincial Cup opener at sun-splashed Stormont.

Indeed, for much of the afternoon it looked as if the North West’s top two batsmen would pull the required 227 on their own before Rankin mis-timed a cut to Harry Tector at point and was out for 84 (12 fours and a six).

Porterfield however continued on his way thereafter; the Ireland skipper oozing class in the ideal conditions as he hit 14 fours in an unbeaten 110.

The visitors also lost David Barr (13) before the end however Niall O’Brien was 10 not out when the winning run was scored.

Tector’s 84 (9 fours) had earlier been a major factor in the home side getting up to their final total of 226- the YMCA all-rounder sharing in stands of 48 with both Graeme McCarter (16) and Jason Mulder (17). That latter partnership was for the 9th wicket and allowed the Knights to recover from a fairly precarious 171-8 on what was clearly a decent batting track.

James Shannon (41) looked dangerous while he was in the middle but after he was trapped lbw by Graham Kennedy (1-15 from 5 overs) the bowlers got on top and stayed there.

Davy Scanlon (4-60) was the most successful of the visitors’ attack although Andy McBrine’s 2-32 from 10 overs and Stuart Thompson with 2-49 also helped keep things in check. Graham Kennedy (1-15 from 5) and Craig Young (1-46 from 10) were also on the mark.

In truth this was a really telling performance from Ian McGregor’s charges albeit the challenge remains to see if they can narrow the gap to pace-setting Leinster Lightning.

At Stormont, North West Warriors beat Northern Knights by 8 wickets
Northern Knights 226 all out (47.1 overs; H Tector 84, J Shannon 41, D Scanlon 4-60, A McBrine 2-32, S Thompson 2-49)
North West Warriors 227-2 (46.3 overs; W Porterfield 110*, D Rankin 84)