Cosgrave brilliance powers Bolts to revenge victory

Macdara Cosgrave produced a magnificent unbeaten century as Leinster Lightning Bolts gained revenge for Tuesday’s defeat with a commanding 71-run victory over the Emerging Knights at Oak Hill.

Cosgrave struck 134 not out from 112 balls, including 14 fours and three sixes, to propel the hosts to an imposing 318 for seven.

The contest had been finely balanced when the Bolts slipped to 230 for seven in the 44th over despite Philippe le Roux contributing a fluent 53.

However, Pembroke’s Cosgrave and teenage wicketkeeper Bruce Whaley then launched a spectacular late assault, plundering 88 from the final six overs.

Whaley smashed three fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 40 from just 18 deliveries, while Cosgrave accelerated superbly to turn a competitive total into a daunting one.

The Knights remained in the hunt for much of their reply, with Ryan Hunter making 30, Charles Swart 41 and Brodie Harrison a brisk 34.

Marko Bates kept their hopes alive with a determined 61, while captain Carson McCullough added 32, but the required rate continued to climb.

Clontarf all-rounder John McNally then ensured there would be no repeat of Tuesday’s Knights triumph, producing the outstanding figures of five for 31. His haul ripped through the lower order as the visitors were dismissed for 247 in 43.2 overs.

Tom Johnson also claimed two wickets, while Mark Tonge took two as the Bolts completed an emphatic turnaround just 24 hours after their 31-run loss to the same opponents.