A MUCH improved batting display by both sides could yet ensure an exciting finish to the Newstalk Inter-provincial Championship series with the Northern Knights needing another 107 runs on the final day at Eglinton to beat the North West Warriors, with five wickets remaining.

The dismissal of Nicolai Smith, brought into the team for the injured James Shannon, four minutes before the close last night probably swung the contest back towards the Warriors, leaving the Knights with three debutants and three lower-order batsmen to win the game today.

The pitch has become a spinners' paradise and Ernest Kemm and captain Andy McBrine have already bowled 35 of the 59 overs in the final innings and, along with debutant slow left armer Ross Allen, have taken all five wickets so far.

Despite the Warriors totalling 250 in their second innings – an improvement of 113 on their first innings effort – the star of yesterday's action was North Down's James Cameron-Dow, who finished with seven for 107 from a marathon 34 overs, just one wicket short of his career best.

He still had to work for his wickets as Stuart Thompson, Johnny Thompson and Ricky-Lee Dougherty all made half-centuries, with international Stuart showing his class in a 69-ball innings which included five fours and two sixes.

It was also encouraging to see him bowling again and although he did not take a wicket in his three overs yesterday, his first day spell of six overs, two for 13 was just what National Coach Phil Simmons would have ordered.

The latest on Shannon is that he will have an x-ray today but, as he left the ground on crutches last night, it appears certain that Instonians will have to do without him for their league triple header this weekend.