The Emerging Warriors stunned defending champions Lightning Bolts by two runs, while the Emerging Knights beat the Ireland Academy by 8 wickets.

Emerging Warriors beat Lightning Bolts by 2 runs
Emerging Warriors 146/8 (20 overs; Gavin Roulston 54, Jack Macbeth 31; Olly Riley 3-39, Dylan Lues 2-18)
Lightning Bolts 144/9 (20 overs; John McNally 60; Sam Kincaid 2-16)

Gavin Roulston (CricketEurope)

The Emerging Warriors pulled off a bit of a shock to beat holders Lightning Bolts in the opening round of the Future Series. Boyd Rankin's side didn't manage a win in the 2023 competition, but held their nerve to claim a two-run win over the Dubliners. 

Gavin Roulston hit 4 fours and 3 sixes in a top-score of 54, sharing stands of 62 with Jack Macbeth (31) and 39 for the second with debutant Ben Mills (19). However from 101 for 1, they lost their way, losing 7 wickets for 45 runs in the last seven overs to end of 146 for 8 - three wickets for Olly Riley and two for Dylan Lues (2-18). 

The chase was a tense one, with Clontarf's Ireland U19 international John McNally almost single-handedly keeping his side in it as he cleared the ropes four times in his 44-ball 60. 

Sam Kincaid took two vital wickets at the death, while the contribution of Liam Doherty shouldn't be under-estimated as the Eglinton all-rounder bowled three tight overs at the end. Indeed with four needed from the last three balls, he kept the Bolts to just a single to seal the narrow win.

Emerging Knights beat Ireland Academy by 8 wickets
Ireland Academy 156/6 (20 overs; Jeremy Martins 72*, Jordan Hollard 34; Adam Kennedy 2-23, Finn Lutton 2-39)
Emerging Knights 160/2 (17.1 overs; Ben Calitz 74*, Ryan Hunter 54*)

The Emerging Knights got their campaign off to a winning start as they chased 156 to win by 8 wickets. 

Batting first the Ireland Academy were in trouble at 78 for 5 but Malahide's Jeremy Martins thumped 6 sixes and 4 fours in an unbeaten 78, doubling the score with Jordan Hollard (34). 

Adam Kennedy (2-23) and Finn Lutton (2-39) each taking two wickets apiece. 

Jordan Neill and Jack Dickson went cheaply in the chase, but a third wicket stand of 120 in 11 overs between Ben Calitz (74*) and Ryan Hunter (54*) sealed the win with 17 balls to spare. 

Muckamore's Calitz hit 6 fours and 4 sixes in his powerful 37-ball unbeaten 74, while CSNI teenager Hunter stroked seven boundaries in his 43-ball 54 not out.