Ireland nicely placed but draw is still likely

THIS annual three-day match between Scotland and Ireland was the first major game to be staged at Boghall, the picturesque grounds of the Mid-Lothian Cricket Club, hard-by to Linlithgow Palace, birth-place of Mary, Queen of Scots. The hosts celebrated the occasion on Saturday evening as an unlikely, if talented, ensemble - the Linlithgow RFC choir - provided the entertainment, and the choristers certainly had plenty to sing about.

One was their national cricket team's handy haul of 380 for five declared, after the Scots had won the toss, which left Ireland about 30 minutes of batting time before close of play, when Alan Lewis and Kyle McCallan had put on 25 without loss. And Scotland's captain, George Salmond leaped, you could say, to the occasion with a personal best innings 181, just nine runs short of the Scottish all-time record set by the Rev James Aitchison away back in 1959.

Ireland had broken through early, when Ryan Eagleson had lain Philip caught behind by Alan Rutherford with only three runs on the board. But after Bryn Lockie and Douglas Lockhart had departed, Salmond and Greig Williamson put on a Scottish record fourth wicket stand of 165. Peter Gillespie worked hard for his three wickets, and Ireland's attack was hampered by the loss of Owen Butler, who retired with a pulled hamstring.

Yesterday, when the sun shone even more brilliantly than on Saturday, the track was still favouring the batsmen. McCallan and Lewis were motoring well, when, Lewis played on from Mike Allingham, ending a useful partnership with 72 runs scored. But McCallan and Declan Moore put on 53 for the second wicket, before Graham Gardiner had McCallan caught by Philip in the slips for 51.

Moore also contributed 51, in a lively knock which included one six and seven fours, before he departed, caught by John Blain off the bowling of Jim Govan. Alan Dunlop was the third half-century maker, and reached his 50 off 77 balls, smiting seven fours.

Ryan Eagleson was the fourth Ireland player of the day to make 50, and as soon as he had achieved that distinction, Lewis declared shortly after tea, leaving his team on 323 for 6 off 802 overs, just 57 runs behind.

Ireland are nicely placed, only 154 runs adrift, but will need an early breakthrough this morning or indeed, several breakthroughs. A draw still seems to be the most predictable result at this stage of the match.