Ian Callender
18 July 2001
The Ireland total was exaggerated by no fewer than 39 bowling extras - 10 more than Ireland's highest individual score - and almost half the opening partnership of 82 between Peter Shields and Jeremy Bray was made up of extras.
Both batsmen fell to stunning catches by the Scottish skipper Neil McCallum who also ran out Duncan Smythe with a direct hit to cap a wonderful individual fielding display. Of the other Ireland batsmen, John Stevenson was stranded through no fault of his own and Armstrong got a rough leg before decision before John Mooney and Niall O'Brien rebuilt the innings with a half century stand for the sixth wicket. Richard McDaid hit eight off nine balls and North West colleague Jordan McGonigle hit three straight fours in his 14-ball innings.
The total, on the same pitch as Tuesday's game, was probably about 20 below par but Armstrong bowled splendidly - as did Johnny Thompson and McGonigle - and when the second wicket stand started to get annoying, Bray brought back the North County bowler and a wicket with the first ball of his second spell was the first of three for four runs.
When the rain came, the Scots were 67 for four in 26 overs and although the teams were sent out again with four overs to play, Scotland needed another 61. They managed two off five balls before rain had the final say and Ireland won on the Duckworth/Lewis ruling.
They complete their three-match programme tomorrow against Holland but were unable to name a team last night as Shields has tendonitis in his elbow and Marty Dalzell, who did not play yesterday, has shin splints.