A superb eighty not out by Scotland internationalist Richie Berrington saw the Western Warriors defeat the NCU Emerging Knights by six wickets in their first T20.
Batting first at a chilly Shaw’s Bridge the home side reached 155 for 9 thanks to James Mitchell's late blitz - the Waringstown teenager hitting four sixes in a belligerent 37 from just 20 balls. Stephen Bunting (23) and Michael Gilmour and Adam Berry with 20 apiece were the other batters of note.
Ross Lyons (2-12) was the pick of the Warriors attack, with Malik and Henry also taking a brace apiece, albeit quite expensively.
In reply Scottish international Richie Berrington - one of only two Scots to make a T20I century - proved the difference between the teams as he hit 10 fours and 3 sixes in an unbeaten 80 from just 52 balls to help his side chase down 155 with the loss of four wickets.
He was well supported by Michael English (30) and Fazal Jawad (298) as the target was reached with two overs to spare.
Nathan Smith (2-16) and Jamie Holmes (2-32) were the successful Emerging Knights bowlers.
Later the Warriors took on a much stronger Northern Knights in another T20 with Berrington being replaced by Abdul Sabri as the only change in the Warriors line up.
The Western Warriors innings never really got going - Neil Smith's dismissal by Graeme McCarter in the second over setting the tone for the visitors.
South African Jurie Snyman was the only Warrior to put up a fight - hitting 46 from 35 balls (7 fours, 1 six) as the Warriors collapsed to 122 all out.
For the Knights, former international Gary Kidd - one of four in the Knights starting XI - was the stand-out performer, having the superb analysis of 3 for 15.
Chris Dougherty with a well compiled 62 saw the Knights make light work of their target cruising to victory in the sixteenth over his runs coming from just 37 balls and included 8 fours and 2 sixes.
He shared an opening stand of 65 in just seven overs with Adam Dennison who also impressed with a run-a-ball 22, before being stumped by Fazal Jawad off the bowling of former Scottish international Ross Lyons.
The Northern Knights and Western Warriors meet again on Wednesday at the same venue in a 50-over contest (11am).
SCORES:
Match 1
At Shaw's Bridge,
Emerging Knights 155-9 (20 overs; J Mitchell 37*, S Bunting 23, M Gilmour 20, M Gilmour 20, R Lyons 2-12, I Malik 2-39, R Henry 2-52)
Western Warriors 156-4 (18 overs; R Berrington 80*, M English 30, F Jawad 29*, N Smith 2-16, J Holmes 2-32)
Western Warriors beat Emerging Knights by 6 wickets
Match 2
Western Warriors 122 all out (19.3 overs, J Snyman 46, G Kidd 3-15)
Northern Knights 125-3 (15.5 overs; C Dougherty 62*, A Dennison 22, C Lewis 19)
Northern Knights beat Western Warriors by 7 wickets