THE Northern Knights may have dominated the opening match in their defence of the Newstalk Inter-Provincial Cup but they had to be satisfied with a share of the points as, for the second year in a row, rain had the final say at Coleraine.

Last year, their game with the North West Warriors was abandoned without a ball bowled but although they managed 46 overs this time the result was the same, but they will take the bragging rights into next week's Championship game at Stormont, when the teams meet again in the three-day format.

These games may be the next level down from the internationals and an opportunity for players to push their claims in front of the Ireland selector, but it was a man who has retired from the Ireland set-up who was the most impressive player on view.

Nigel Jones had decided to concentrate on his work as a Cricket Development Officer and spend more time with his family but whenever he plays he would love to carry this Sandel Lodge pitch around.

After Andrew White had won the toss, he had no hesitation in asking the Warriors to bat and conditions were perfect for medium-pacer Jones who saw the ball nip around and, with the extra bounce, he claimed three wickets in his 10 overs for just 19 runs.

He struck with his 10th ball, having David Barr caught at first slip and then when he returned for a third spell he removed Andrew Riddles, the Warriors top scorer, who miscued to mid-on and with his penultimate ball, had Craig Young caught at mid-off.

Jones received good support from Allan Coulter, who struck in his first over and followed up with the big wicket of Niall McDonnell, and David Simpson made an instant impression and his two scalps were both internationals, Stuart Thompson caught at long leg and Andy McBrine to a beauty which was completed by a sharp stumping by Chris Dougherty.

The slow bowlers also enjoyed themselves on the turning wicket although wickets were harder to come by. Skipper White, who still has not given up on becoming Ireland's most capped player on his own, was the most successful, mainly because he bowled more, but James Cameron-Dow deserved his second wicket with the last ball of the innings.

The Knights had seven overs to bowl before lunch and Chris Dougherty and Jones raced away at more than four runs an over but the rain arrived during the interval and when thunder and lightning hit the ground the game was called off at 5.30pm.