Former Afghanistan U19 captain Suliman Safi showed his class and power as he made an unbeaten 84 and 104 in wins this week over the Warriors and Knights.
Emerging Knights lost to Lightning Bolts by 8 wickets
Waringstown, 1 August.
Emerging Knights 248 (48.4 overs: Harry Dyer 43, CJ van der Walt 36, Ollie Metcalfe 35, Ewan Wilson 32, James West 26, Ryan Hunter 23; John McNally 3-35, Tom Johnson 2-28, Mikey O'Reilly 2-34)
Lightning Bolts 252/2 (30.4 overs: Suliman Safi 104*, Macdara Cosgove 57*, Swapnil Modgil 40, Daniel Forkin 23)
Suliman Safi was in the runs again scoring an unbeaten century (CricketEurope)
Suliman Safi plundered the Emerging Knights attack to power Leinster Bolts to a thumping eight-wicket win at the Lawn.
The former Afghanistan U1-19 skipper - now plying his trade at North County - bludgeoned 10 sixes and 4 fours in a 60-ball unbeaten 104 to follow up his 84 not out on Wednesday at Ardmore.
The powerful left-hander shared a third wicket stand of 167 in 18 overs with Pembroke teenager Macdara Cosgrave whose even time 57 not out included 5 fours and one maximum.
There were runs too for the Merrion duo of Swapnil Modgill (40) and Daniel Forkin (23) in an opening stand of 58 that put Leinster on the front foot chasing 248.
The home side's batting saw players getting starts but failing to kick on.
Harry Dyer top-scored with 43, while skipper CJ van der Walt made 36 and Ollie Metcalfe 35.
The most entertaining knock though was the cameo by Ewan Wilson whose 22-ball 32 included three sixes - the only of the innings.
Clontarf seamer John McNally picked up three wickets, while there two apiece for left-arm spinner Tom Johnson and southpaw pacer Mikey O'Reilly.
Leinster Bolts will now play for the second trophy of the season in a final decider later this month.
Emerging Warriors lost to Lightning Bolts by 7 wickets
The Bleachgreen, Ardmore, 31 July.
Emerging Warriors 183 (44.5 overs: Liam Doherty 60, Cameron Melly 20; John McNally 2-16, Reuben Wilson 2-29, Mikey O'Reilly 2-40)
Lightning Bolts 184/3 (31.3 overs: Suliman Safi 84*, Mikey O'Reilly 41, Phillipe Le Roux 21*; Robbie Millar 2-30)
Suliman Safi hits the winning boundary (CricketEurope)
Lightning Bolts proved much too strong for the Emerging Warriors as they chased 183 to coast home by seven wickets in the 32nd over.
Batting first the Warriors had the impressive Liam Doherty to thank as the Eglinton batsman top-scored with a classy 60 (8 fours, 3 sixes).
The next best contribution was 20 by Cameron Melly with two wickets apiece for John McNally, Reuben Wilson and Mikey O'Reilly - who also ran out David O'Sullivan with a brilliant piece for work a la Roger Harper.
O'Reilly then took full advantage of a push up the order to make a fluent 41 (8 fours).
Robbie Millar dismissed Swapnil Modgill with his first ball, and then got fellow opener O'Reilly. Doherty held onto a sharp return catch offered by Macdara Cosgrave to give the Warriors a hint of competitiveness.
However, Suliman Safi overcame a shaky start to power his way to an unbeaten 84 from just 60 balls, hitting seven fours and six sixes that had the livestock in the adjoining fields running for cover.
Safi and skipper Philippe Le Roux (21*) hardly troubled as they won at a canter.
Emerging Knights beat Ireland Academy by 42 runs
The Lawn, Waringstown, 31 July.
Emerging Knights 283 (49.5 overs: CJ van der Walt 74, Adam Leckey 67, Jordan Neill 45, Ewan Wilson 26*; Abidullah Taniwal 3-78, J Martins 2-37, M Weldon 2-39, Jordan Hollard 2-49)
Ireland Academy 241 (40.5 overs: Rob O'Brien 54, Jordan Hollard 52*, Kian Hilton 45, Dan Murray 28; CJ van der Walt 3-16, Ben Snell 2-28, Carson McCullough 2-52)
Knights skipper CJ van der Walt thumped 12 fours in a hard-hit 74 to lead the NCU side to a 42-run win over Ireland Academy at The Lawn.
The Carrickfergus all-rounder shared a 5th wicket stand of 119 with Adam Leckey (67) as the hosts posted 183 - runs too for Jordan Neill (45) and Ewan Wilson (26*).
The Ireland Academy reply saw half centuries for Rob O'Brien and Jordan Hollard, as well a rapid 45 from opener Kian Hilton, but three wickets for Van Der Walt plus two apiece for Ben Snell and Carson McCullough wrapped up a deserved win.