Craig  Young, playing his first game for the North West Warriors, ploughed a lonely furrow on the first day of the RSA inter-provincial at Bready as he tried to keep the formidable Leinster Lightning batting line-up in check.

But, despite his herculean efforts, the home side are staring at a two-day defeat. The Sussex-contracted professional, who is fighting his way back to full fitness after a two-year battle against injury, has taken all three Lightning wickets to fall so far but the inter-provincial Championship leaders are already seven runs in front with seven first innings wickets remaining.

Despite a stand of 59 for the first wicket - nearly three times their previous best - the Warriors were bowled out for 164 in just 45 overs and, with a possible 112 today, there is every chance of Lightning claiming the win they need to clinch the title with a day to spare.

Ireland internationals Max Sorensen and John Mooney were a class apart in the Lightning bowling attack, and ripped through the fragile home batsmen with only Andrew Riddles and Johnny Thompson - their most consistent players of the season - putting up any resistance, once Mooney had made the breakthrough. Sorensen came back to outclass the tail.

Warriors were grateful for the 38 extras conceded by the Lightning, 10 runs better than top scorer David Rankin. When Young claimed the wicket of debutant Theo Lawson on the stroke of tea to reduce the visitors to 77 for three, there was a glimmer of hope for the home side.

But John Anderson, who survived a huge lbw appeal first ball, and Simmi Singh, another debutant, snuffed out that threat and both are already past their 50s, with power to add - followed by a batting line-up which sees regular club opener Albert van der Merwe coming in at No 10.