Ireland Wolves started their six-match tour of England with a hard-fought win over Bristol University, being pushed all the way by the stubborn students.
Simi Singh top scored for the Irish with a fluent 62, sharing a fifth wicket stand of 83 with captain Shane Getkate, who impressed with a hard-hit 45.
Jack Tector looked in fine touch in his 36, while Instonians’ Robert McKinley showed his all-round abilities with a run-a-ball unbeaten 32 as the Wolves posted 261 all out.
Newman (4-43) was the pick of the Bristol attack.
In reply, Bristol were struggling at 33 for 4, as Merrion’s Tyrone Kane (2-21) struck twice, while there were also run outs for James Shannon and Adam Dennison in an athletic fielding display.
Waite (52) and Smith (43) rallied for Bristol with a century stand to bring parity to the contest once again. It was the unlikely figure of Dennison who provided the breakthroughs, taking 2 for 12 to give the Wolves the upper hand once again.
Simi Singh (2-37) and Robert McKinley (1-46) were also among the wickets and despite some late order hitting from May – who hit 3 sixes in his 22 ball knock of 45 – the 27 run was sealed, with skipper Getkate taking the final wicket.
Ireland are back in action tomorrow (FRI) when they take on Gloucestershire Seconds in another 50 over contest.
At Bristol, Ireland Wolves beat Bristol University by 27 runs
Ireland Wolves 261 all out (47.5 overs; Singh 62, Getkate 45, Tector 36, McKinley 32*, Newman 4-43)
Bristol University 234 all out (48.3 overs; Waite 52, May 45, Smith 43, Dennison 2-12, Kane 2-21, Singh 2-37)
Yes
Connaught
