Ireland win destroys Scottish hopes

A five-wicket defeat to Ireland at Deventer has left Scotland with no chance of winning the ECC championship. Scotland batted first and scored a competitive 200 for 6, thanks mainly to a superb 88 not out from the Zimbabwean-born Ryan Watson, who also chipped in with three wickets, but Ireland cantered home by five wickets with three overs to spare.

Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray got Ireland's run chase off to an excellent start, capitalising on some wayward bowling in an 81-run opening stand. Watson made the breakthrough, having Bray caught behind by Colin Smith for 39, and instigated a mini-collapse that temporarily put the match in the balance. Andre Botha departed for 6, also to Watson, and Molins was out in the next over with no addition to the score, bowled by Greig Williamson (93 for 3).

However, Andrew White and Peter Gillespie then laid to rest any hopes of an Scottish fightback, adding 87 as the bowlers, Watson and Gregor Maiden apart, failed to maintain any pressure. Watson again broke the partnership, when Dewald Nel caught Gillespie for 32 (180 for 4), but by then the result of the game was already assured.

White fell just before the victory came, stumped by Smith off Maiden for 43, but Kyle McCallan (18*) and Trent Johnston (2*) guided Ireland home without any further problems.

Earlier, Scotland had made a solid start, with Bruce Patterson and Maiden putting on 44 for the first wicket before Maiden was bowled by Gordon Cooke for 13. Then followed two needless run outs, as first Colin Smith (3), and then Patterson (40), gave away their wickets (100 for 3).

White then ripped through the middle order with three quick wickets as Scotland stumbled to 151 for 6, but he had his fair share of luck, as the ball that dismissed Dom Rigby lbw turned far too much to hit the stumps.

At the other end Watson was still batting fluently though, racing past his half-century, and he had some good support from Williamson in the final overs. However, Scotland were left ruing their soft dismissals, and inaccurate bowling, as Ireland raced home without ever really being tested.