The Knights were joined at the top of the table by defending champions Leinster Lightning who showed they will still be the team to beat when at full strength.

Munster would have been relatively happy at the midway stage after posting 166 for six, with former Ireland Under-19 captain Philippe Le Roux top-scoring with a 36-ball unbeaten 64 (six fours, three sixes), and Wednesday’s centurion Stephen Doheny making 35.

Pembroke’s Gavin Hoey took four wickets in fine exhibition of leg-spin as the Dubliner’s bowling unit stuck to their task well.

Any thoughts of a home win were quickly dispelled in a barrage of boundaries from the opening pair of Chris De Freitas and Tim Tector. 

Balbriggan left-hander De Freitas – widely tipped for international recognition – hit seven sixes and five fours in a whirlwind 70 from only 29 deliveries, sharing an opening stand of 118 in just 8.5 overs with Tector (45) to effectively decide the contest.

Bakhtyar Nabi took three wickets, but it was only delaying the inevitable as Lightning won by six wickets in the 16^th over.

The teams are all back in action next week at Stormont for the second of four scheduled Festivals.