CricketEurope reports:

Ireland's response to being asked to bat by Scotland was to blast their way record breaking first wicket partnership but Scotland came roaring back with a record breaking first wicket partnership of their own in even quicker time that ensured the Scots would end the day 6 wicket winners. Kevin O'Brien who scored 65 (38b 5x4 4x6) falling with the total on 115 in the 12th over and Paul Stirling out for 56 (42b 5x4 2x6) had ensured that Ireland were off to the best of starts.

When they fell however Scotland clawed their way back into the game. A steady spell of medium pace from Richie Berrington, who although wicketless in his four overs, blended well with the slow left arm of Mark Watt whose figures of 3 for 26 stemmed the flow as Ireland were reduced to picking up singles through the vital 12-15 over period of the game. Two wickets then in quick succession as Sharif bowled Tucker and ran out Singh and Scotland were gaining the upper hand. Overs 13-17 produced only 22 runs for the loss of 4 wickets and it was left to Shane Getkate (16 off 9b) and George Dockrell (15 off 7b) to get Ireland to 180/7 as 41 runs were added in the final 3 overs.

If Ireland were quick out of the blocks Scotland were even quicker. The Scots opening pair of George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer raced along, Coetzer benefitting from a missed chance to Singh when he had yet to score and when Munsey fell caught behind driving at Getkate they had added 109 in 8.4 overs, Munsey's contribution being 50 off 27balls (6x4 2x6).

Coetzer who reached his half-century off only 27 balls was finally bowled by Boyd Rankin last ball of the 13th over when the score had reached 141 - his contribution being 74 off 38 balls (9x4 4x6). With vice-captain Richie Berrington going quickly it was left to Calum MacLeod (35*), hero of the ODI win over England, and Craig Wallace (19*) to ease Scotland home in a chase that proved embarrassingly simple in the end.

Ireland failed to build on that record breaking start which was bettered by Scotland and with none of the Irish bowlers able to establish any sort of control it was a win 'slowing down' by the Scots whose record is an ever improving one against their celtic cousins.