3rd TRIPLE CROWN TOURNAMENT

Belfast, N Ireland: 19-21 July 1995

Triple Crown 1995 Home Page

Ireland v Wales

Triple Crown
Downpatrick: 19th July 1995

Ireland won by 6 wickets

WALES
J Sylvester     st Ogilby b Graham      17   BOWLING: IRELAND
M Newbold        c Ogilby b Eagleson     4   Eagleson  11  1  40  3
A Harries                 run out       23   Patterson  7  0  35  1
%J Langworth              b Graham       4   Doak      11  2  15  0
K Bell                    b Eagleson    50   Graham    11  5  18  2
T Hemp                lbw b Harrison     6   Harrison   9  1  29  1
G Lewis                   b Patterson   27   Lewis      6  1  22  0
G Williams        c Lewis b Eagleson     4
L Kelleher                not out        2   FALL OF WICKETS
M Walton                  not out        0   15, 53, 66, 68, 94,
*A Griffiths                                 161, 167, 174
Extras                                  39
Total           (55 overs, 8 wickets)  176
IRELAND
S Warke                   b Sylvester   23   BOWLING: WALES
J Molins                  b Griffiths   11   Walton     11  2  43  1
S Smyth       c Langworth b Newbold     30   Griffiths   9  1  41  1
*A Lewis           c Hemp b Walton      37   Newbold    11  1  26  1
J Benson                  not out       38   Sylvester   3  0  10  1
G Harrison                not out       15   Williams    6  1  22  0
N Doak                                       Kelleher  5.4  1  26  0
U Graham
R Eagleson                                   FALL OF WICKETS
M Patterson                                  41, 49, 118, 148
%S Ogilby
Extras                                  25
Total         (45.4 overs, 4 wickets)  179  
Umpires: H Henderson & T Henry  Toss: Wales
* captain  % wicketkeeper

Match Report (Ian Callender)

The game did not begin all that auspiciously for Ireland when Wales won the toss and batted on a slow track which provided very little help to the young new-ball attack of Mark Patterson and Ryan Eagleson. Patterson in particular had difficulty in finding a rhythm and seven of the first fourteen runs came from wides. Eagleson managed to remove Mike Newbold in his second over but it was the decision of Lewis to introduce Neil Doak in the 10th over and then Uel Graham in the 13th that had a suffocating effect on the Welsh innings. From being handily placed at 44 for one after 15 overs, Wales lost their way and slumped to 68 for 4. Doak and Graham bowling in tandem conceded only 23 runs from 19 overs. Kristian Bell, who top scored with 50, was dropped on 32 by Stephen Smyth but it was not to prove too costly in the end. Otherwise a workmanlike performance in the field.

The only blemish in the Irish batting performance was the failure of the openers for the second time in succession. Stephen Warke seemed perhaps a little unlucky but Jason Molins was again bowled while aiming through mid-wicket. A third wicket stand of 69 off 19 overs between Smyth and Lewis ensured that the home side managed to avoid copying the visitors' mid-innings crisis. Benson with 38 not out off 36 balls with a six and four fours hurried Ireland to victory with almost ten overs to spare.

MEANWHILE Scotland started their defence of the Home Internationals with a surprisingly easy victory over England at Comber. The holders bowled out the favourites for 127 and a fourth wicket partnership of 78 between Scottish captain, George Salmond and Gavin Williamson eased them home with eleven balls to spare. Big hitting English opener, Steve Dean, scored only 12 runs in 20 overs before being run-out by a direct hit from Salmond. Dean injured himself in the process and was advised not to take any further part in the Tournament. The English innings was dominated by their captain, Mike Roberts, who scored 32 out of 40 while he was at the wicket, but once he was out, England lost their last eight for fifty-three.