Ian Callender
18 July 2001

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The Development Squad missed out on winning the European A Cup as, for the second successive Thursday, an Ireland team lost to Holland by two runs. In Toronto last week, the senior squad's defeat by the Dutch ended their interest in the ICC Trophy and yesterday the Development Squad, needing a victory to win the four-team tournament, lost by an identical margin in Deventer.

Overnight rain forced the day's final two games to be played on the same pitch, both games reduced to 10 overs per side, and after Scotland's 28 runs victory over Denmark, Ireland knew that a win would have left them level on four points with the Scots but, after their win on Wednesday, a second victory would have given them the trophy.

Set a target of 104, the Development Squad were coasting with captain Jeremy Bray and Conor Armstrong still together, and just 16 short of victory. But Bray was then caught at extra cover and they started the last over still needing nine to win. Armstrong was caught on the long extra cover boundary - it would have been a six on most grounds - and Ryan Haire and John Stevenson could not score the winning runs.

Once again, in the opinion of manager Allan Rutherford, Bray looked a class above the rest of the batsmen and Armstrong also seems ready to step back into the international squad. However, not one batsman reached 30 in any of the three games although, with bowlers urgently required for the international side, Richard McDaid enjoyed a satisfactory tournament and could be ready for a recall.

The rest of the bowling attack will be in Scotland next week at the Under 19 European Championships and Jordan McGonigle and Johnny Thompson will both be hoping to build on their encouraging three days in Deventer.