Eimear Richardson helped Ireland to its first victory of the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers 2011 in Dhaka today after the 25-year-old all-rounder hit a half-century and claimed five wickets to steer the team to 255-run victory over Japan at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.

In Mirpur, watched by a crowd of 400 lively Bangladeshi supporters, it was a day for run-making as Isobel Joyce's side batted first against Japan after losing the toss. The crowd cheered every boundary hit and every wicket taken as the Irish scored an impressive 311 in its 50 overs.

Isobel's twin, Cecelia, opened the batting alongside Clare Shillington but after 25 runs Shillington departed after being clean bowled by Kurumi Ota. It was then up to Cecelia alongside Jill Whelan to add runs to the board, which the pair did, with Cecelia making 64 before she was caught by Ayako Iwasaki.

Richardson put in an impressive performance with the bat to score her half-century, the right-hander hit 57 runs in 45 balls, while the young tail-enders, 14-year-old Elena Tice and 15-year-old Kim Garth, put on 17 runs for the last wicket to help the Irish to a hefty total and one the Japanese were going to struggle to chase down.

As the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh looked on alongside a small group of Japanese local supporters, Mariko Yamamoto and Shizuka Kubota took to the crease to face the strong Irish bowling attack which has been coached ahead of this event by Ireland fast bowler Trent Johnston.

Richardson proved to be the pick of the attack, claiming her first five-fer in the tournament in the process, undoing the Japanese batting line-up with her off-spin. The Dubliner combined with Kim Garth and captain Isobel Joyce to dismiss Ema Kuribayashi's side in just 23 overs.

Isobel admitted, despite the score, that the Japanese side had improved since the team last faced it in 2003 in The Netherlands at the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier. 'I think they have improved greatly in the field and a couple of their fast bowlers and spinners are playing far better than before and their wicketkeeper was excellent.

'It was a good toss to lose this morning as we wanted to have a bat and it was important we got some runs on the board as we haven't in our last couple of matches, but we did think the ball would move around early on.

'It was good to see Eimear, Cecelia and Jill (Whelan) all contribute and help us to post a big score. And then for our bowlers to perform so well was satisfying. It also puts us in good stead ahead of our important match tomorrow against hosts Bangladesh,' said Isobel.

In a match that was being watched by 2.3 million Bangladeshis as it was broadcast on local television, Richardson admitted the game plan had worked out for the side: 'We had a good game plan, which we stuck to which in previous games we had not done so well. It was important for the batters to make runs which we did and it was great to take five-fer in the Japanese innings.

'I think perhaps the Japanese were a little inexperienced on how to combat the spin, especially here where there is lots of turn and bounce which can make it hard to read.'

Japan coach Chris Ferguson was disappointed with the side's performance but admitted the team were still learning about playing on the big stage: 'I think we have to look positively at how the side fought back when it looked like the Irish were on their way to 340 and we took three wickets in I think roughly one and half overs.

'I know the side aren't showing their true potential which they and I know they have to play this game. They are a side that is still learning and they take each of these games as a chance to take new points on board and improve.'

Tomorrow will see Ireland face hosts Bangladesh at BKSP 3.