News

Despite 61 from Andrew Vincent and four wickets from Josh Little, Ireland Under 17s lost to their Scottish counterparts by just 1 wicket at The Mardyke yesterday in their first Celtic Cup match.

The tie became a one day 60 over contest after the first day was completely washed out by torrential rain.
The Irish lads won the toss and captain Harry Tector decided to bat first. Opener Andrew Vincent batted very well playing straight for his 61 but a cross batted sweep just before lunch was to prove his his downfall.

Earlier, Qureshi struck to remove Marcus Poskitt, while Bradburn backed him up to have Stiles and Tector in the very next over. All of sudden Ireland were 42/3.

Head Coach Nigel Jones was disappointed that Ireland “lost wickets in clusters”, as it happened again just before lunch. Ian Anders (24), Vincent and JJ Garth (8) fell in quick succession leaving Ireland 137/6 at lunch.

After lunch the loss of Gupta for 26 signalled another batch of wickets. It was 158/7 when he fell but Ireland had added just 8 more runs when Varun Chopra was LBW to Clarkson to end the Irish innings.

Ireland were bowled out for 166 in the end, using just 52.5 of the 60 overs allocated for this match. “We had our chances and ended about 60-70 runs short of what we should have made,” said Jones.

Defending a low total the Ireland under 17s are out of the traps with quickly. Fresh from leading the Under 19s to the World Cup, Josh Little, Aaron Cawley and Max Neville open the bowling; they quickly have Scotland 15/4.

Aaron Cawley unfortunately pulls a hamstring and bowls just 1.5 overs. Seven of the team were away on the successful but mentally and physically demanding Under 19 World Cup Qualifying campaign. “Though not an excuse,” says Jones, “it was a factor in general, as three catches went down in the field.”

Despite the impressive start made by Ireland, crucial innings by Guy (60) and Ware (56) took Scotland to their target inside 56 overs. Not before the Irish bowling and fielding had put them under serious pressure and taken 9 wickets.

“Josh Little bowled a serious shift of two spells of 7 overs each resulting in match figures of 4-28 off 14 overs and JJ Garth also bowled with great control for match figures of 2-19 off 11.4 overs,” continued Jones.

“Scotland deserved their win but the boys are eager to go again in the T20,” concluded Jones.

The sides meet again at The Mardyke today in a T20 with a 2pm start.

Celtic Cup Series

At The Mardyke, Scotland U17s beat Ireland U17s by one wicket

Ireland 166 (52.5 Overs; A Vincent 61, S Gupta 26, I Anders 24; C Clarkson 4-39, A Beattie 3-24, T Bradburn 2-22)

Scotland 167-9 (55.4 Overs; A Guy 60, L Ware 56; J Little 4-28, JJ 2-19)

Cricket Ireland
The Mardyke Ground in Cork as Ireland & Scotland Under 17s take the field
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Connaught