Ireland A began their defence of their country's European Championship Division 1 title with a convincing seven-wicket win over Italy at Farmers Field on Tuesday, while elsewhere there were first-day victories for hosts Jersey and Scotland A over Denmark and Netherlands A respectively.

Chasing a relatively modest Italian total of 161, Ireland A were made to work hard by a persistent attack in which seamers Alauddin and Gayashan Munasinghe made full use of the conditions, but Irish opener James Hall was equal to the challenge, playing sensibly in reaching an undefeated 61 and taking the Man of the Match award.

He was supported by James Shannon, who made 27 in a second-wicket stand of 72 without ever looking really comfortable, and then by Stuart Thompson, who went onto the attack in making a run-a-ball 33.

Earlier, several Italian batsmen made promising starts, but were then unable to build a substantial score. Damian Fernando hit seven fours in his knock of 29, while skipper Hemantha Jayasena reached 27 before edging to keeper Rory MacCann off the bowling of his opposite number, Albert van der Merwe.

Slow left-armer Van de Merwe bowled a steady ten-over spell to claim two for 21, while at the other end off-spinner Andrew Balbirnie took one for 27 from eight overs. Stephen Dunn made a promising start with the new ball, also delivering ten straight overs and taking one for 39.

At 110 for eight the Italians were in serious trouble, but Munasinghe (27), assisted by an aggressive cameo from Alauddin and a steady effort from last man Dilan Fernando, managed to get the total up to 161. Hall, however, was able to ensure that this wasn't nearly enough.

At Les Quennevais, Scotland A proved much too strong for their Dutch counterparts in the first encounter between two of the A sides, running out winners by 110 runs.

Put in by Netherlands A, the Scots made an excellent start, solid innings from Oliver Hairs (42), Ewan Chalmers (59) and Moneeb Iqbal (36) enabling them to reach 158 for three in the 39th over. This should have been the platform for a really big total, but the Dutch seamers then regained control, taking the last five wickets for just 17 runs as Scotland finished on 215 all out ten overs later.

Man of the Match Mohsin Ghaznavi led the way with five for 50, while Bernard Loots took three for 36. Only Jan Stander, with 25, was able to make a significant contribution from the middle and lower order.

This total may have been disappointing after such a start, but it was far beyond the Dutch batsmen, who were soon in desperate trouble at 33 for four. Tom Heggelman and Vinoo Tewarie managed to double the score, but once they were both removed by Stander it was left to Adam Woutersen, who top-scored with 23, to continue the resistance, and the innings closed on 110.

Stander finished with three for 13, while there were two wickets apiece for Tyler Buchan, Sean Weeraratna, and Iqbal.

At Grainville tournament hosts Jersey took on Denmark. Denmark won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch that, combined with the overcast conditions, was expected to give the opening bowlers plenty of assistance.

The Jersey bowlers got on top and kept the Danes in check with some accurate seam bowling. Opener Frederick Klokker defied the Jersey attack and carried his bat through the innings, making a patient 67 and taking the Man of the Match award.

Wickets kept falling at the other end, however, and things didn't look good at all for Denmark when they were 97 for 8 after 40 overs. But then Martin Pedersen came in, playing in his first match for his country's full side.

Taking on the Jersey bowlers Pedersen turned the innings around, and he and Klokker added 67 runs in the last ten overs. Pedersen's 38 not out came from just 33 deliveries as Denmark ended on 164 for 8. Matthew Hague was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets in his ten overs for just 19 runs, and Ryan Driver and Thomas Minty picked up two each..

Even though the pitch had eased off Jersey found the going tough to begin with and lost two quick wickets. But opener Dean Morrison and wicketkeeper Ed Farley dug in and began to score runs as the Danish spin attack bowled too many loose balls.

Farley was run out on 39, while Morrison was caught behind off spinner Michael Pedersen for 55. But only 34 were now needed with 20 overs remaining, and Chris Jones, supported by Tim de la Haye saw them through to a five- wicket victory.

The match was notable for the 100th international appearance by batsman Carsten Pedersen, who became the first Dane ever to reach this milestone.