Scotland set Ireland imposing total

Scotland set Ireland a daunting 324 to win the ICC Trophy in Belfast.

Ryan Watson hit 94 in an impressive innings for the Scots before being caught by Andrew White off the bowling of Trent Johnston.

But steady half-centuries from Dougie Brown and Fraser Watts ensured that Andy Moles’ team could defend a commanding total.

Scotland opener Paul Hoffmann made his intentions clear from the start by clubbing 22 from the first three overs. He was dismissed for 23 with the score at 37 but Watts and Watson continued the good work to keep the score rattling along.

Watson quickly overtook opener Watts and was four runs short of his half century in only the 20th over.

Watts was unbeaten on 40 as the pair took the score to 126 for one at a run-rate of more than six an over.

Both reached half centuries before Watts was run out by White for 55.

The in-form Cedric English helped the score to 195 before he was dismissed but Colin Smith did not last long. He was stumped for just two to leave the Scots on 198 for four but Brown was able to help the Scots past the 200 mark.

Watson fell six runs short of a century when he was caught by White off the bowling of Johnston as the fifth wicket fell at 234.

Gavin Hamilton joined Brown at the crease and the ex-England pair still had 10 overs to push the score on.

Brown, the Warwickshire all-rounder who was excused club commitments to play, became the third Scot to notch up a half century as the 300 mark loomed closer.

Hamilton was the sixth to fall, on 283, when he was caught off the bowling of Gordon Cooke for 12.

Cooke struck again soon after and it was the wicket the Irish wanted most, with Brown departing for 59 to stall the Scots on 292 for seven.

The wicket of Gregor Maiden fell with the score at 312 before Dougie Lockhart and Craig Wright saw out the 50 overs.

Cooke was the pick of the Irish bowlers, taking three wickets for 70.