Goudie and Haq cut through Ireland

Gordon Goudie and Majid Haq took nine wickets between them on a cold day in Aberdeen to dismiss defending champions Ireland for 202 at Mannofield Park. Scotland's batsmen then recovered from a shaky start to build on their bowlers' performance by reaching 76 for 2 at stumps, trailing by 126 with eight wickets in hand.

Ireland, who are aiming for their fourth consecutive ICC Intercontinental Cup title, got off to a solid start before opener Jeremy Bray's forward defensive against Goudie resulted in an edge to the wicketkeeper. The innings, however, was anchored by William Porterfield, who was released last minute by Gloucestershire for the game. He drilled Alasdair Evans down the ground and through cover before pulling Goudie into the car park. Porterfield attacked Gordon Drummond's short balls as well, pulling to the midwicket and square leg boundaries and cutting a wide one through cover point. He scored 77, standing firm at one end as Haq trapped Alex Cusack, who thought he had hit the ball, and Andre Botha lbw in successive overs.

It was Goudie, though, who struck the telling blow by having Porterfield caught on the cut by Richie Berrington, diving forward for a sharp take. Ireland were struggling at 160 for 5 and the lower order and table offered little resistance. Goudie and Haq shared the last five wickets between them and bowled the visitors out for 202.

In reply Scotland's openers had made a slow but steady start, reaching 20 in the ninth over before Trent Johnston broke through Fraser Watts' defence and splayed all three stumps. Ireland were boosted again shortly afterwards when Regan West got one to turn and bounce on Douglas Lockhart and the resulting edge was comfortably taken by Johnston at first slip. The hosts were 33 for 2 but Qasim Sheikh and Ryan Watson ensured Ireland would not gain any more ground with a solid partnership until the close of play.