George Dockrell ensured Leinster Lightning got their defence of the interprovincial T20 Trophy off to a winning start with a 20-run win over the North West Warriors in a rain-reduced 16 overs contest at Bready.

The return of Irish international William McClintock to the Warriors squad after a three-year hiatus was the big talking point ahead of the T20 interpro series at Bready this week.

The Northern Knights and Leinster Lightning have announced their squads for this week's T20 interpro series at Bready,

The North West Warriors and Connacht were left frustrated by the weather as their Wild Atlantic Way Series clash at The Bleachgreen in Derry ended in a no result after rain halted play during the Connacht reply with the contest evenly balanced.

In the end it was a straightforward chase for the Strikers with Andy McBrine – of course – there at the finish as the northern side claimed a six wickets victory in the Emerald Challenge at Malahide.

When the Southern Raiders slumped to 29 for five, needing 92 to avoid the innings defeat, it looked for all in the world that day 4 would not be required in this year’s Emerald Challenge.

The first interprovincial match of the season takes place on Thursday at Ardmore with the North West taking on Connacht in the newly formed Atlantic Challenge with Munster the other side in the three-team event.

Egan finished the second day 114 not out, having faced 200 balls and with the help of Morgan Topping, in a second wicket stand of 174 so far, the Northern Strikers were 200 for one at the close, just 92 behind the Southern Raiders first innings total.

The Malahide weather obviously doesn’t agree with four-day Emerald Challenge games. Two years ago, the middle two days were completely washed out by the weather. This  year, day one was cold and blustery.

The North-West Warriors have added a trio of Irish internationals to their ranks with Munster's cancellation seeing Gareth Delany and Liam McCarthy moving, while Lisburn's Ben Calitz joins from the Knights, with Sam Topping moving back to Belfast.

Neil Rock was the notable absence in the Northern Knights 19-man squad announced ahead of the start of the interpro season at the start of June.

Leinster Lighting will once again be favourites to complete an interpro double in the new old-look series featuring three teams.

As revealed last November, Munster have been culled from the senior interprovincial ranks.