Ireland asserted early dominance in their three-match series against Netherlands Women although the bowling was more impressive than the batting in their five wickets win in Amstelveen.

The Dutch, playing their first one-day international since 2011, were bowled out in the 33rd over for just 93, but an Ireland collapse from 39 for no wicket to 64 for five – it would have been 64 for six but Orla Prendergast was dropped in the next over – put them under pressure to see the job through.

Prendergast took full advantage of her ‘life’, though, to hit the winning boundary in the 20th over, with the experienced Mary Waldron keeping her company to ensure no further alarms.

Opening bowlers Georgina Dempsey and Arlene Kelly had figures of three for 10 after 10 overs and when Rachael Delany struck with her first ball, the Netherlands found themselves 12 for four.

It was the 17th over before Freda Overdijk hit their first boundary – she hit five of her side’s six - and proved the one major obstacle to the Ireland attack, the only player to reach double figures and was still unbeaten when Delaney returned to take her second and third wickets and end the innings.

Kelly also deservedly finished with three and Waringstown’s Cara Murray took two with her leg spin, including a superb one-handed return catch above her head.

Gaby Lewis who has interrupted her stint with the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred to play in the series ensured a comfortable start, along with Leah Paul, to the Ireland reply before Paul gave wicket-keeper Babs de Leede the first of her four catches.

Lewis top edged to square leg after hitting 25 off 32 balls and captain Laura Delany was out next ball, the same fate which befell Shauna Kavanagh. In between, Murray hit a run-a-ball 12 before a loose shot outside off stump proved her downfall.

The second game is tomorrow (Wednesday) with a 10am BST start.