Daniel Forkin’s unbeaten century ensured honours finished even as the Future Series encounter between the Emerging Knights and Leinster Lightning Bolts ended in a draw.

The Knights had declared their first innings on 342 for nine, built around Ryan Hunter’s excellent 112 from 109 balls. Hunter struck 19 fours and a six, while Jordan Neill added a fluent 66 from just 43 deliveries.

James West made 34, Charles Swart 32 and Marko Bates 33 as the Knights accumulated their runs at a brisk rate. Yash Balasubramanium was the pick of the Bolts attack, claiming five for 63, with young Zimbabwean Rohan Sanders taking two wickets.

Leinster began their reply poorly as Evan Carlisle removed Bruce Whaley for two and Robert O’Brien for eight, leaving the Bolts in difficulty at 14 for two.

Forkin and captain Philippe le Roux then transformed the innings with a superb third-wicket partnership of 144. Le Roux struck 84 from 96 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six, before falling to Neill with the total on 158.

Merrion all-rounder Forkin continued to frustrate the Knights attack and reached a deserved century, finishing unbeaten on 108 from 174 deliveries. His patient innings contained 12 fours and five sixes.

Seb Dijkstra provided further support with an undefeated 33 from 64 balls as Leinster declared on 250 for three after 59.4 overs.

Carlisle returned impressive figures of two for 11 from seven overs, while Neill claimed the other wicket. Harry Dyer also bowled economically, conceding only 21 runs from 9.4 overs, but Forkin’s determined century ensured the Bolts comfortably secured the draw.