Scotland got their build up to the World Cup off to a winning start when they defeated St George by eight wickets at Hurstville.

Kyle Coetzer captaining the side won the toss and elected to field with Wardlaw and Taylor opening the attack for the Scots.

It was Taylor who made the initial breakthrough when he got MacDougal to edge the ball to Cross behind the stumps to give the keeper the first of his five victims to make it 25 for 1.

Guy Seymour and the St George captain Ashton May put on a further 62 runs, the highest partnership of the innings,  for the second wicket before Ally Evans who had come on as first change had Seymour caught by Cross for 22.

The Scottish bowlers continued to dominate with only May (41) making any real impression with the bat as the home side was reduced to 140 eight.

A flurry by Cook (20) and Andrew Walsh (28*) saw St George close their innings on 198 for 9.

Michael Leask with 2 for 14 from his 9 overs was the pick of the Scottish bowlers with Taylor and Berrington also picking up 2 wickets each.

Scotland on the resumption opened with Coetzer and Calum MacLeod and they put on 60 for the first wicket before Coetzer was clean bowled by Walsh for 26.

Eight runs later Walsh struck again when he had Gardiner caught by Seymour to give the home side a glimmer of hope.

It was to prove to be a faint one as MacLeod and Coleman took the match away from St George with a 136 run partnership to see Scotland home by eight wickets with seventeen overs to spare.

Coleman contributed 39 to the partnership but it was MacLeod who was the stand out finishing unbeaten on 129. His innings had come from 103 balls and included 12 fours and six sixes including one to finish the match.

The Scots will be happy to get some game time under their belts as they prepare for tougher fixtures ahead.

SCORECARD