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Ireland International Matches
Scotland beat Ireland by 7 wickets
Triple Crown, Ynsygerwn, 3 July 1996
Scorecard
Derek Scott

After the splendid win over Wales the previous day Ireland were brought down to earth with a major bump losing to Scotland by seven wickets with three overs to spare

The match was reduced to 40 overs per side due to early morning rain and a wet ground. It did not start until 1.50 p.m. In 40 overs Ireland then made 245 for six but could not defend this total (six runs per over) in a pretty miserable bowling and fielding display. The day was sunny but windy and cold. One straight boundary was but 40 yards from the pitch so a score of 245 was not quite what it seemed. Nevertheless Ireland were confident at the half way mark. Then Philip and a newcomer, Lockie, put on 198 for the first Scottish wicket in less than 30 overs!

Eagleson replaced McCallan as the only Irish change. Scotland sent Ireland in on a firm and easy paced pitch. Five Irish batsmen made it past 30 but none reached 50. Herein lay the batting difference between the teams. Curry (7) failed for once being caught at mid-on at 19. Benson and Andrew Patterson put on 57 in 51 balls. 50 went up in over nine and over 10 saw Benson score 13 off Williamson's first over. In the 13th over Benson played on to Allingham. 76-2-34. Dunlop came in. Allingham bowled four overs for eight and then conceded no less than 26 in his fifth over, the 19th of the innings. There was a wide and a no ball and Dunlop scored the other 24 including three massive sixes. The next ball, bowled by slow left armer Sheridan, dismissed Patterson (30) at 115. He was caught by mid-off running to his left. In Sheridan's next over Dunlop (35) departed very well caught, two handed over his head, at deep square leg by Blain. Doak and Heasley, both from Lisburn C.C., were now together. They started slowly and Heasley gave a chance at the wicket, when nine, after hitting a six. Heasley got more strike. Then in three overs he went from 18 to 45 (two more sixes) and got out. Philip ran a long way to his left at long-off to take the catch off Reifer. 187-5-45. With seven overs left Harrison joined Doak, Eagleson might have been a better choice. However the sixth wicket pair put on 42 off 36 balls. 200 was up in over 36 and 18 runs came in over 37.

In over 39 Harrison went down the pitch to Blain and was bowled for 17. Doak and Eagleson managed 13 off the last over. The last 10 overs yielded 91, the last five 46. This could have been more if Harrison (17 in 18 balls) had delayed his entry. The other element which prevented a higher Irish total was Sheridan's spell of eight overs for 17 runs and two wickets. He came on for over 14, at 78 for two, and went off after over 28 at 141 for four. In this period Doak and Heasley were endeavouring to consolidate the innings and could not take too many risks, even though Sheridan bowled from the short boundary end.

Patterson bowled three wides in the first over. He and McCrum bowled four overs each by which time Scotland were 48. Eagleson then bowled five overs for 24 and Heasley two for 16. After the restricted fielding limit of 12 overs (because of the reduced match) Scotland were 87. Over 17 (Eagleson) was eventful. 100 came up as did Philip's 50. Next ball Moore, sub fielding, misjudged a chance at backward point.

The next chance fell to Curry. In his second over (at 127), the 22nd, Lockie (47) gave him a very difficult catch and bowl. Next ball Lockie went to 50. Benson came on for over 28 and gave up 17 runs. A six by Philip to long-off took him from 97 to 103. The ball was caught by Heasley but his foot was over the line. Heasley's next over, (the 29th) gave up 12 runs and Ireland were now certain to lose.

Eventually, in over 30 by Eagleson, a wicket fell. Philip was caught at deep square leg for 121 out of 198. He hit three sixes, 14 fours, batted 126 minutes and faced only 91 balls. At 217 Reifer was caught at the wicket slashing at Eagleson. Eight runs later Lockie was bowled. His supporting role to Philip was invaluable. He scored 70, hit six fours and faced 101 balls.

Salmond and Williamson finished the job quickly with three overs to spare. A shocked Irish team left the field. Eagleson had the only respectable bowling figures, three for 34 in eight overs.

Philip was Man-of-the-Match. In the other match, England beat Wales by 16 runs in a 32 overs per side match.