Irish top IWCC trophy table with Pakistan

Pakistan and Ireland meet this morning in Rotterdam as a possible preamble to the IWCC Trophy final on Sunday. Both sides have maximum points from two games played in the group stages of a competition doubling as qualification for the 2005 World Cup in South Africa.

Following Monday's 28-run victory over the West Indies, Peter Johnston's side stormed past Japan, making their international women's debut, with a 9 wicket win at the Haarlem club yesterday. In answer to the Japanese order's 62 all-out (including three wickets for Malahide's Barbara McDonald), the Irish managed 63-1 with Clare O'Leary of YMCA topping the bill with 31 runs.

Another win this morning for an Irish side captained by Clare Shillington and one of two World Cup qualifying places available this week seems certain ahead of tomorrow's rest day.

Ireland beat West Indies by 32 runs

July 21, Amstelveen

Ireland 84 (K Young 19, C Beggs 15, V Felicien 2-13) West Indies 52 (B McDonald 4-13, C O'Neill

4-15, I Joyce 2-12)

Ireland beat Japan by 9 wickets

July 22, Haarlem

Japan 62 (B McDonald 3-10, C Shillington 2-4, C O'Neill 2-9) Ireland 63-1 (C O'Leary 31*)