TECTOR SCORES CENTURY BUT IRELAND LOSE TO ENGLAND
Harry Tector scored a century for Ireland Under 19's but it wasn't enough to save them from a comprehensive 125-run loss against England in their first World Cup warm-up game in Christchurch.
The Irish skipper struck 12 fours and 2 sixes in fine 104, guiding his team to a respectable total of 247 replying to England's daunting 372 for 8.
The Irish innings had started disastrously with Jamie Grassi falling fourth ball, and despite a fine cameo from Sam Murphy (22) they were reeling at 100 for 5.
Tector and Neil Rock (15) added 47 for the 6th wicket, before Josh Little gave the Irish some cheer with a hard-hit half century.
The Pembroke all-rounder thumped 8 fours and cleared the ropes twice in a whirlwind 55 from just 36 balls, dominating a seventh wicket stand of 67 in 51 balls with Tector.
That completed a fine all-round game for Little, who had been the pick of the Irish attack earlier in the day. He removed both openers cheaply, before claiming his third wicket in the final over to finish with excellent figures of 3 for 50.
However, centuries from England captain Harry Brook and Will Jacks saw Ireland suffer severe punishment as the pair added 179 from 133 balls before both retired. There was little respite for the Boys In Green as Fin Trenouth smashed 5 sixes in his 73 from just 41 deliveries as England posted 372.
The other successful Irish bowlers were Max Neville (1-71) and Graeme Kennedy (1-79), while Tector claimed a run out.
Skipper Tector reflected on a tough day for the team saying: "The ground itself was small, the pitch was flat and the outfield was quick so there wasn’t much in it for the bowlers.
"At the same time I thought Josh Little bowled well with the new ball as well as JJ Garth, Reece Kelly and Graham Kennedy in the middle. We fielded brilliantly which was a major positive for our first game as a team since the 31st of July and coming out of an Irish winter I thought we did alright.
"We’ll cut down the extras and try build more dots consecutively and hopefully this will all come together for our first game.
"Personally, I felt in terrible touch for my first 30 odd runs but I eventually found my timing and footwork when the spinners came on, and from then on I felt very good. Touch wood this form will continue and I can do something similar when it matters in the group stages."
Ireland play their second warm-up match against Canada on Thursday before their opening group match against Sri Lanka on Sunday."
Under 19 World Cup warm-up match, At Hagley Park, Christchurch
England 372-8 (50 overs; Harry Brook 100 ret, Will Jacks 100 ret, Fin Trenouth 73, Liam Banks 33; Josh Little 3-50)
Ireland 247 (49.4 overs; Harry Tector 104, Josh Little 55; Tom Scriven 3-24, Dillon Pennington 2-26)