Northern Knights are still in pole position to retain the Inter-provincial Cup but they will have to beat Leinster Lightning in the final game, at Oak Hill, next month after surrendering their unbeaten record yesterday.

Munster Reds bounced back from their T20 defeat on Wednesday to reduce the Knights to 44 for six in their 50-over contest in Cork and although the NCU side recovered to total 174, thanks to Ben Calitz’ 96, the Reds claimed victory by

The introduction of Ross Adair, as a bowler, denied Reds the bonus point as the CIYMS big-hitter took three wickets in his first 10 balls, without conceding a run. When Adair came on, the home side needed only 21 from five overs to gain the point that would have put them within three of the Knights but it would be another 43 balls, four wickets and a dropped catch before the home side limped over the line.

South African Mark Andrianatos was Adair’s first victim after a defiant 59 from 122 balls and when Cian Robertson bowled Ali Frost for 55, the Knights sensed a sensational comeback. It was Instonians wicket-keeper Olly Metcalfe, however, who won the game with a six and ensured that Liam McCarthy’s five-wicket haul was a winning contribution.  

McCarthy, unluckily overlooked for a place in the Test match squad last month, took four of the first five wickets as Knights crashed to 36 for five – Adair out for 15 and Paul Stirling for four – but Calitz brought up his 50 in the 20th over off 52 balls and was last man out, caught behind off McCarthy, four short of a second List A century, He hit 10 fours and three sixes.

The only batter who stayed with Calitz for a meaningful time was Robertson who faced 45 balls for his 28 in an eighth wicket stand of 84.

Meanwhile, all the players, apart from Stirling, return to club cricket at the weekend when Carrickfergus will be relegated from the Premier League if they lose to CIYMS.

Scores: Northern Knights 174 (32.4 overs, B Calitz 96, C Robertson 28; L McCarthy 5-31, C Campher 3-43) Munster Reds 176-7 (42.1 overs, M Andrianatos 59, A Frost 55, PJ Moor 21; R Adair 3-4, C Carmichael 3-40). Reds won by 3 wickets.