JOYCE STARS AS IRELAND DEFEAT SCOTLAND IN T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER WARM-UP

IRELAND Women defeated traditional rivals Scotland by 27 runs in a T20 World Cup Qualifier warm-up game at TCG in Bangkok this morning.

Chasing Ireland's relatively modest total of 108 for 5, Scotland looked well poised to cause an upset as Rachel Scholes (20) and Fiona Urquhart (7) kept pace with the required rate sharing an opening stand of 30.

However, they collapsed in dramatic fashion losing six wickets for just three runs to leave them reeling on 33 for 6.

Veteran leg-spinner Ciara Metcalfe (2-5) started the rot dismissing both openers in her first over.

Skipper Isobel Joyce (2-1) also picked up two wickets in her solitary over, while teenagers Robyn Lewis (2-7) and Lucy O'Reilly (2-21) also took a brace apiece.

Scotland player/coach Kari Anderson (14*) and Sam Haggo (10) both reached double figures as they opted for batting practice in the final stages, finishing on 81 for 8.

Their total was helped by the concession of 13 wides by the Irish - 8 of which came from the only over bowled by Cath Dalton.

The Middlesex player had enjoyed better fortunes with the bat in the Irish innings scoring a run a ball 20.

Isobel Joyce top scored with an unbeaten 33 from 30 balls (4 fours), while twin sister Cecelia hit 21, as Ireland recovered from the second ball dismissal of Clare Shillington (2).

Laura Delany (12) and Kim Garth (11) also reached double figures as the Irish batters spent time adjusting to the stifling heat and slow pitch.

Ireland are back in action on Thursday when they take on Thailand at the same venue before they start the tournament proper on Saturday against fellow European side The Netherlands.

T20 Women's World Cup Qualifier warm-up

At Thailand Cricket Ground (TCG)

IRELAND WOMEN
Clare Shillington lbw Samantha Haggo 2
Cecelia Joyce b Rachel Scholes 21
Kim Garth c Kathyrn Bryce b Kari Anderson 11
Catherine Dalton run out (Haggo) 20
Isobel Joyce not out 33
Laura Delany run out (Haggo) 12
Gaby Lewis not out 1
Extras 9 (1nb, 8w)
Total 5 wkts (20 overs) 108

Fall: 1-2 2-24 3-38 4-77 5-108

Bowling:
Samatha Haggo 4-0-21-1; Abbi Aitken 4-0-24-0: Kari Anderson 2-0-11-1
Kirstie Gordon 3-0-11-0; Rachel Scholes 2-0-9-1;
Kathryn Bryce 3-0-19-0;Fiona Urquhart 2-0-13-0

SCOTLAND WOMEN
Fiona Urquhart c Laura Delany b Ciara Metcalfe 7
Rachel Scholes c Clare Shillington b Ciara Metcalfe 20
Ollie Rae c Cath Dalton b Isobel Joyce 1
Annette Drummond lbw Lucy O'Reilly 2
Kathryn Bryce lbw Robyn Lewis 8
Katie McGill c Waldron b Isobel Joyce 0
Kirstie Gordon b Lucy O'Reilly 0
Sam Haggo c Cecelia Joyce b Robyn Lewis 10
Kari Anderson not out 14
Lorna Jack not out 4
Extras 15 (1nb, 13w, 1lb)
Total 8 wkts (20 overs) 81

Fall:1-30 2-30 3-32 4-32 5-32 6-33 7-48 8-55

Bowling:
Kim Garth 3-0-8-0; Amy Kenealy 3-0-19-0; Ciara Metcalfe 4-0-5-2;
Jenny Gray 2-0-8-0;Lucy O'Reilly 3-0-21-2;Isobel Joyce 1-0-1-2;
Robyn Lewis 3-0-7-2; Catherine Dalton 1-0-11-0.

Ireland won by 27 runs