IRELAND'S Under 19 cricketers slipped to their first defeat in the World Cup qualifiers yesterday. Old rivals Scotland won a tense affair by four wickets with a ball to spare at The Hills.

Jeremy Bray's charges again started badly, losing both openers for 12, but Jason van der Merwe made a brilliant 96 to rescue the innings. The big teenager from Muckamore, Co Antrim - via Cape Town - was backed up by Andy McBrine (53) and Adam Coughlan (36no) in getting Ireland to 237-6 off their 50 overs.

Shane Getkate made a welcome return to action with 23 runs, batting No 7. But the big all-rounder who suffered three heart-attacks last month did not bowl.

Ireland could have done with him too. Several Scots batters got a start, but the visitors were helped by a rain shower which reduced their innings by ten overs. Despite a flurry of late wickets the tail scampered four singles off the last over to win.

In other games, the previously beaten Kenyans and Namibians were beaten by Nepal and the USA, which means that SIX of the ten teams now share the top of the table, with two wins out of three.

Ireland play Canada today in the Leinster club in Rathmines.