JOHN ANDERSON’S brilliant unbeaten 123 led Leinster Lightning to a five-wicket win after a sporting declaration by Northern Knights saw them successfully chase 268 to clinch victory with two overs to spare.

The Merrion man paced the chase to perfection scoring his second Championship century – the 20th overall in the six-year history – hitting 13 fours and one six in his 164-ball knock.

After an hour was lost to overnight rain, the Knights added a further 189 in just 33 overs, with James McCollum (94) and James Shannon (66) both scoring half centuries in a third wicket stand of 89.

McCollum had earlier dominated a second wicket partnership of 101 with Chris Dougherty (36).

Breezy cameos from Harry Tector and Neil Rock, who hit five boundaries in a rapid 22 not out allowed the Knights to dangle a carrot to the defending champions of 268 in 61 overs.

Anderson and Jack Tector gave Lightning the perfect start to their target, adding 129 before the YMCA man fell for 70 from 108 balls, which included nine boundaries.

Andy Balbirnie, Simi Singh and Sean Terry fell cheaply – two wickets apiece for spinners James Cameron-Dow and Gary Kidd – to give the Knights hope of salvaging a draw at 182 for 4.

However, Lorcan Tucker played a great little cameo, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes on his way to 42 from 41 balls, sharing a stand of 72 with the unflappable Anderson.

Tucker fell just before the end, and it was left to Lightning skipper George Dockrell to strike the winning runs.

“I thought it was an outstanding batting effort from the guys,” said Dockrell.

“It looked like it was going to be quite a tough chase after they batted so well in the morning session. We gave them a bit of license to attack us after we failed to take early wickets.

“Credit to John Anderson for getting us there with one of the more spectacular innings that I’ve witnessed. He was simply outstanding the way he paced and held the innings together.

“He and Jack Tector got us off to a flier so the run-rate was never really an issue. The pair produced two special knocks and I’m really pleased for them. “

It’s always tough to get results in Championship games and having lost ten overs today I wasn’t sure that a result would be possible.

“Credit to the Knights for the declaration. They had to risk losing to win and if they had managed to take early wickets it could have been an entirely different scenario.

“I’m really proud of the lads for the win, and rightly John will take the plaudits for a special knock. I felt privileged to be present and see just how he went about it.

“The win puts us in a really good place in the competition and sets us up nicely for our next match in the Championship against the Warriors in Bready.”

IP CHAMPIONSHIP, At Comber, Day 3 of 3

KNIGHTS 1st inns 263 all out (87.3 overs; James McCollum 87, Shane Getkate 70, Neil Rock 20; Peter Chase 3-38, Jarred Barnes 3-46, George Dockrell 2-38)

2nd inns 272-5 dec (62 overs; James McCollum 94, James Shannon 66, Chris Dougherty 36, Neil Rock 22*, Harry Tector 22; Simi Singh 3-39, Peter Chase 2-26)

LIGHTNING 1st inns 268 all out (95.4 overs; John Anderson 66, Simi Singh 56, Andy Balbirnie 48; Harry Tector 3-28, James Cameron-Dow 3-64)

2nd inns 268-5 (59 overs; John Anderson 123*, Jack Tector 70, Lorcan Tucker 42; James Cameron-Dow 2-72, Gary Kidd 2-100)

Leinster Lightning (23pts) beat Northern Knights (7pts) by five wickets