European Championships, Division 1, Dublin

Ireland retain European title

Cricinfo staff

July 31, 2008

Ireland 129 for 3 (Wilson 51, Botha 47*) beat Scotland 152 for 9 (Watson 50, McCallan 3-10) by seven wickets (D/L method)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball

Ireland defended their European Championship title with a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Scotland at Clontarf. Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson hit 51 and Andre Botha an unbeaten 47 as Ireland cruised to their D/L target with 19 balls to spare.

Rain delayed the start - and also interrupted both innings - reducing the match to 35 overs per side. Scotland made an impressive start as Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Watson added 60 in eight overs, but from there they fell apart. Alex Cusack began the collapse, but the main problems were caused by Kyle McCallan who claimed 3 for 10 in his seven overs.

He had Watson, who hit 50 off 44 balls, and Colin Smith stumped off nicely flighted deliveries and trapped Majid Haq lbw on the back foot. The total limped past 150, but it was always unlikely to be enough.

John Blain struck early to remove William Porterfield for 1 but Scotland couldn't make enough early inroads. Wilson hit six boundaries in his 66-ball innings and Botha scored at better than a run-a-ball to complete a satisfying day. Ireland will now head into the World Twenty20 Qualifiers in good spirits.

Denmark's final game against Netherlands at The Hills was washed out without a ball bowled.

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