Ireland Inter-Provincial Cup 2022 | Matt Ford stars as Munster Reds pin down Northern Knights

As the Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cup 2022 was down to its second match being held at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, Munster Reds and Northern Knights fought it out in a close affair that eventually saw the former starting their campaign on a high, beating the latter by three wickets.

With 249 runs needed to win, the Reds made the chase tough for themselves, losing an early wicket in the form of Murray Commins. Although skipper Peter Moor and Tyron Kane provided stabilisation to the innings with their 62-run stand, Ruhan Pretorius ran past both the batters, keeping Northern Knights alive in the game.

With the Reds losing two more wickets in quick succession, the Knights smelled victory with their opposition reeling at 100/5 and still had 149 runs left to chase.

However, just when it seemed all over for the Reds, the Knights failed to close the door completely and let the Peter Moor-led side come back into the game. 

Gareth Delany and Matt Ford performed the rescue act as Munster Reds marched their way to the win, courtesy of the duo's crucial 69-run partnership. After Delany's dismissal, the job was still not over for Ford, who smashed unbeaten 71 runs.

At one stage, the score read 202/7, but Ford and David Delany ensured the Reds' smooth progression towards the victory, with the Knights suffering a defeat in their opening game of the season.

Earlier in the day, Northern Knights were asked to bat and enjoyed a good start, led by their openers Paul Stirling and James McCollum. As soon as their innings were put to an end, no other batter in the line-up, barring Jeremy Lawlor and Ross Adair, could find their way throughout. 

While Lawlor showed persistence, Adair's end-over blitz took Knights towards a respectable total of 248 runs.

For his match-winning 71-run knock, Matt Ford was handed the Player of the Match award.

Brief scores:

Northern Knights - 248/9 (50)

James McCollum 53 (82), Ross Adair 47* (32);

Fionn Hand 2-28 (6), Michael Frost 2-27 (10)

Munster Reds - 249/7 (48)

Matt Ford 71* (71), Peter Moor 48(61);

Ruhan Pretorius 3-30 (7), Matthew Humphreys 2-47 (10)

Munster Reds won by three wickets.