A superb 3rd wicket partnership of 132 between Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson lead Ireland to a convincing 63 run win against a youthful Eastern Province Invitational XI in Port Elizabeth.
Stirling hit a typically belligerent unbeaten 110 from just 67 balls (9 fours, 7 sixes), but was actually outscored by Wilson in their partnership which occupied just 72 balls.
Coming together at 34 for 2 in the 5th over, after the early departures of William Porterfield (5) and Kevin O'Brien (7), the pair savaged the South African attack, scoring boundaries at will.
Surrey batsman Wilson hit 5 sixes and 3 fours in his 64 from just 33 balls, as Ireland finished on a mammoth 197 for 3.
George Dockrell struck in the first over of the EP reply, but Edward Moore hit three sixes in a rapid 29 from just 18 deliveries as the EP XI reached 52 for 1 in the 5th over.
However once Dockrell dismissed Moore, the EP XI were never in the hunt despite an assured 43 from Josh Dolley. In the end their innings petered out, finishing on 134 for 7, with Dockrell (3-26), John Mooney (1-19), Max Sorensen (1-20), Kevin O'Brien (1-23), and Andrew White (1-24) the wicket takers.
Ireland complete their preparation in South Africa tomorrow with a game against another Eastern Province XI, before departing for the UAE to participate in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifers which get under way on March 13th.
The full scorecard can be found here: