Gutsy Irish earn tilt at champions

Spirited resistance at perilous moments and a finely-honed will to win gave Ireland a commendable two wickets victory over Essex County Cricket Board at Comber yesterday, with the added bonus of a third round NatWest Trophy match against Leicestershire, the English County champions for the past two seasons, at Castle Avenue in Dublin next month.

Ireland needed 197 after Essex had won the toss and batted first, and that looked a remote chance indeed when Jamie Sparrow removed the opening pair, first Neil Carson and then Kyle McCallan, with only six runs on the board. Thereafter, Ireland's fortunes fluctuated dramatically.

It was heady, exciting stuff. Stephen Smyth and Gerald Dros were the first to spearhead the comeback, putting on 55 for the third wicket before Andrew MacKinlay broke the partnership by clean bowling Smyth.

Then Dros and Andy Patterson put on 48 for the fourth wicket before Dros departed the scene in dramatic circumstances. He drove paceman Arif Saeed for a massive six to reach his half-century; Saeed got his retaliation in fast, and bowled Dros next ball with the score on 119 for four.

Patterson and then Angus Dunlop got out with only three runs added, and at 122 for six, Ireland looked to be in deep mire. Enter Ed Joyce and Gordon Cooke, whose stand realised an invaluable 47 runs, before Tim Jones bowled Joyce to leave Ireland on 169 for seven with seven overs remaining.

Ryan Eagleson was next to the rescue, and with the indomitable Cooke, he helped put on a precious 18 runs for the eighth wicket, before Jones removed him. Dwayne McGerrigle then joined Cooke, kept his cool, and with considerable aplomb drove MacKinlay for a boundary with the winning stroke.

It was a moment to savour for the 19-year-old who was winning only his second cap, and who earlier had clean-bowled MacKinlay and Saeed with the last two balls of Ireland's 50 overs for a brace of well-deserved wickets. Cooke, also primarily a bowler, was the real match winner; his unbeaten 38 was scored off 51 deliveries and his innings included two sixes and two fours.

Earlier, Alex Richards had top-scored for Essex, with a handsome 60 before his partner effectively ran him out, and there were other useful contributions from Giles Ecclestone with 33, 29 from Jones and 19 from Simon Fitzgerald. Eagleson, McGerrigle and Cooke each took two wickets, and overall Ireland did well to restrict their opponents to a total of 196 for eight wickets.

This Ireland side may have its limitations, but it possesses not a little talent, and above all, a steely resolve, and for that latter quality, national coach Mike Hendrick must deserve some praise.