What a difference a week makes! Ireland finally came good and registered their first win of the World Cup with a 69 run defeat of Bermuda, who just 8 days ago had outplayed them.

It was a much different Ireland this time around, as they ran up 236 for 7, thanks primarily to a 137 run partnership for the 3rd wicket between James Hall (75), and Paul Stirling (59).

Coach Brian O' Rourke juggled the batting order, pushing up Ben Ackland to open with Chris Dougherty, and allowing the out of sorts Stirling a respite at number four. The ploy worked with Dougherty (25) and Ackland (18) putting on 47 in ten overs for the first wicket. However both went in the space of 3 balls, playing poorly judged shots to the spinners Tamauri Tucker and Rodney Trott.

Both Hall and Stirling played positively against the spinners, as Ireland built up an imposing total. Stirling did have two lives, surving a stumping chance and an edge behind, both missed by Regino Smith. He had reached 27 at that stage and the total was 111.

Stirling hit 4 fours and 2 sixes in his 84 ball stay. before being bowled around his legs by the impressive Trott. Hall's 75 came from just 82 balls, and contained 6 boundaries. He too was dismissed by Trott, adjudged caught and bowled, although video replays suggested that the ball hadn't carried.

Ireland then stuttered slightly, losing James Shannon (4), Greg Thompson (10), and Graham Mc Donnell (14), as they sought to score quick runs in the closing overs. Just 47 came in the final 10, about 20 short of what looked likely. Bermudan skipper Rodney Trott (4-37) was the pick of the attack.

In reply the Ireland opening attack of Andrew Britton and Richard Kevaney removed Regino and Pierre Smith in quick succession, to leave Bermuda floundering on 6-2. Runs were hard to come by and after 18 overs, just 36 runs had been scored.

The dismissal of Deunte Darrell, who had made just 7 from49 balls changed the complete tone of the innings. Malachi Jones joined Trott, and the pairing who had been instrumental in Bermuda's victory the previous week, set about trying to make lightning strike twice.

They added 65 in just 9 overs, dealing primarily in boundaries - 14 of them coming in that spell. They were particularly severe on Ben Ackland, who conceded 53 runs in 7 overs. Skipper Greg Thompson then took matters into his own hands, and after a shaky first over, soon had Bermuda reeling.

He ran right through the middle order, having Trott (53) stumped by Poynter, and then holding on to a low drive from the dangerous Malachi Jones (49 from 40 balls). Fray, De Silva and Hollis all followed in quick succession, as 6 wickets fell for 30 runs.

James Hall had Tucker well caught by James Shannon, and Andrew Britton trapped Mc Laren Smith lbw to leave Bermuda 167 all out.

Greg Thompson (5-26) was awarded the Man of the Match Award.

Ireland now face Zimbabwe on Saturday, where a win would give them 13th place in the tournament.