Leinster Lightning weren’t able to beat the weather on a frustrating day at Bready but still claimed the Interprovincial Cup for the 10th time in 13 years.

A three-hour delay in the morning saw the game reduced to a 34-overs per-side contest, with the Warriors being asked to bat first.

Andrew Balbirnie has been the stand-out performer for the North-West in what has been a difficult season for Boyd Rankin’s side, and the 34-year-old was once again amongst the runs against his former Leinster colleagues.

The Ireland Test captain has been rejuvenated since his move North and his unbeaten 82 took his season tally in the Cup to 445 — topping the aggregates and the averages with 89.00

His 80-ball knock included eight fours and two maximums and was the bedrock of their total of 155 for four — the innings eventually consisting of 28 overs after three rain interruptions.

Balbirnie and Jared Wilson (13 not out) shared the most fluent stand of the innings, with 48 coming from the last five overs.

Balbriggan’s impressive speedster Matthew Hollard was once again amongst the wickets, taking two for 14, while Clontarf’s David Delany and Pembroke leg-spinner Gavin Hoey were the other successful bowlers.

Barry McCarthy made a welcome return getting through six overs unscathed which augurs well for Ireland ahead of next month’s T20 International Series against England.

Another bowler on the comeback trail is Craig Young and the North Down seamer managed two overs in Leinster’s innings before the final rain of the day led to an abandonment.

Young didn’t get a wicket but did take a catch at third man to dismiss Tim Tector — Leinster on nine for one when the plug was pulled.

Leinster’s dominance has seen them collect 25 of the 33 trophies available in the various competitions since its relaunch in 2013, and that’s despite a dilution of their talent pool to other provinces.

The other game between Munster and Northern Knights was abandoned without a ball bowled.