Ireland's Under 19 cricketers shook off the winter cobwebs as they played an unofficial warm-up match against their South African counterparts in Dubai where they have been for the past four days.

Half centuries from South African skipper Tony de Zorzi (75) and Wiaan Mulder (55) saw the Africans post 277 for 5 in their 50 overs. Merrion left-armer Tom Stanton was the pick of the Irish attack taking two for 28 with his gentle inswingers, with the Phoenix pair of Rory Anders and Ben White taking a wicket apiece and Strabane all-rounder Aaron Gillespie the other.

In reply, Ireland were never in serious contention despite a breezy 59 from Pembroke's Lorcan Tucker.

There were also useful contributions from Rush opener Stephen Doheny (34) and Donemana's Gary McClintock (29) as Ireland were dismissed for 193 in the last over - Lutho Sipalma (3-37) was the most successful of the South African attack.

Ireland have official warm-up matches against Afghanistan on Saturday and Canada on Monday, before they face India on Thursday 28th in the first of their group games.