An unbeaten century from William Porterfield has given the NW Warriors hope going into the final day of their Championship clash with Leinster Lightning at Bready.

The Irish skipper scored an unbeaten 115 from 258 deliveries in a textbook display of application and concentration, as his side wiped out a first innings deficit of 193.

Porterfield struck 14 boundaries in his marathon knock, sharing a first wicket stand of 50 with DD Barr (22) and then 115 for the second wicket with Strabane's Aaron Gillespie who made 48.

Stuart Thompson made just six - the second of two wickets for Andrew Balbirnie (2-17).

Niall O'Brien (14*) joined Porterfield and the pair ensured that Warriors finished on 214 for 3, despite the second new ball being taken by Lightning.

Lightning's efforts to secure the win have been hampered by Josh Little not being able to feature - the Pembroke left-armer suffering a side strain and not being risked ahead of Ireland's upcoming T20I clashes against India next week.

In the morning session, George Dockrell (92) struck two boundaries in the first over of the day, but Craig Young gained revenge by knocking back his middle stump to deny the Leinster skipper a deserved century.

Any hopes of wrapping up the innings quickly were denied by the Lightning tail, who combined resolute defence with a series of lusty blows.

Josh Little (27) and Peter Chase (24) both struck four boundaries, while Max Sorensen and Jarred Barnes both scored 13 as Lightning finished on 273.

David Scanlon (4-70), Stuart Thompson (3-72), Graham Kennedy (2-27) and Craig Young (1-76) were the successful bowlers.

Friday's morning session will be crucial for both sides, with the new ball just seven overs old. Lightning will still be favourites to claim the win, but if the Warriors show the same application as Thursday, then they could well salvage a draw on a pitch that has become flatter and with little help from much brighter overhead conditions.

INTERPROVINICAL CHAMPIONSHIP, At Bready, Day 2 of 3

WARRIORS 80 all out (P Chase 5-24, M Sorensen 4-27) and 214-3 (W Porterfield 115*, A Gillespie 48; A Balbirnie 2-17)

LIGHTNING 273 all out (G Dockrell 92, A Balbirnie 35, J Anderson 28, J Little 27, P Chase 24; D Scanlon 4-70, S Thompson 3-72, G Kennedy 2-27).