At 3:20 PM on the first day MCC were all out for 138. Hill, bowling unchanged until the ninth wicket had fallen, bore the brunt of the attack and his figures were 32-8-67-5. His off-spinner's, coupled with Bowden's left-handed leg breaks, caused this meagre total. Roberts and Powell put on 50 for the second wicket but after this partnership was broken there was no further resistance until Hill and Glover added 28 for the last wicket.

Both Irish opening batsman - Mahony and Jacobson - were playing in their first game for Ireland and they had a very successful debut. They made 83 before being separated, Jacobson's 46 being the best score of the match. After this fine opening, wickets fell quickly and, although Shearer made 19, the total was only 134-7 at the close. Next day 51 runs were added, chief credit going to JW Hill who scored 27 not out. Harrison bowled very steadily, taking 4-35 in 24 overs.

Going in again MCC lost four wickets for 27 to Armstrong and Hill. Then Keighley and Harrison stemmed the tide. Left-hander Hool came on to bowl for the first time in the match when the score was over 80. At 93 he caused Keighley (Oxford University and Yorkshire) to hit his wicket. In his following five overs Hool had three men caught at silly-mid-off by Shearer and the innings closed for 120 - Harrison getting 43. Boucher only bowled eight overs in the match due to the fact that he had injured his back.

Requiring 76 to win Mahony and Jacobson again gave the team a good start with a partnership of 42. Eventually a seven wicket win was recorded. Mahony's 40 not out was a steady, skilful innings.

Derek Scott