Adam Dennison starred with the bat and Rory Anders with the ball as Ireland started their World Cup Qualifying campaign with emphatic 111 run win over Papua New Guinea.

Waringstown all-rounder Dennison struck nine boundaries as he top scored with 65 from 77 balls as Ireland racked up 271 in their 50 overs.

Dennison shared a second wicket stand of 51 with skipper Jack Tector (21) following the early wicket of Sonny Cott (2), while he dominated a third wicket partnership of 59 with Donemana's Gary McClintock (14).

William McClintock struck an entertaining 43 from just 32 deliveries - including 7 fours and one of  only twoi maximums of the innings.

Strabane's Aaron Gillespie also cleared the ropes as he hit 41 from 44 balls which included 5 fours. Pembroke keeper-batsman Lorcan Tucker also  struck five boundaries as he too made 41.

Phoenix speedster Rory Anders struck two early blows removing both PNG openers, before wicket-keeper Sere Sam led a fightback adding 63 with Karoho (32) and 60 with Gavera (23).

His dismissal for 68 (89 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) sparked a collapse which saw six wickets tumble for just 15 runs at they ended up 160 all out.

Anders claimed the bowling honours taking 4 for 30, while Merrion left-armer Tom Stanton picked up 3 for 37.

Adam Dennison (1-17) took the vital wicket of Sam, while Gary McClintock (1-16) also broke a threatening stand by removing Karoho.

Ireland are back in action on Sunday when they take on the USA.

Nepal top the table after two crushing wins over PNG and Uganda.

 

U19 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

IRELAND U19 271 (48 overs, Adam Dennison 65, W McClintock 43, A Gillespie 41, L Tucker 41, J Tector 21)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA U19 160 (36.4 overs, S Sam 68, V Karoho 32, D Gavera 23, R Anders 4-30,T Stanton 3-37)

IRELAND won by 111 runs

Full scorecard