Ireland's U19 cricketers ground out a crucial five wicket win over their Scottish counterparts in an attritional affair at FB Fields in Jersey.

A fine bowling display in helpful conditions saw Ireland restrict Scotland to just 119 all out, with only Harris Carnegie (27) offering any resistance.

Indeed it was extras with 28 that provided the top contribution to the Scottish total.

Gary McClintock was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 28, while left-armer Tom Stanton (2-17) and Waringstown's James Mitchell (2-20) also impressed.

The Irish fielding was top quality, with Strabane's Aaron Gillespie making two run outs.

The Irish batters adopted a safety first approach and in a solid if not exactly spectacular display emerged five wicket winners, reaching their target with 15 overs to spare.

The top six all reached double figures, with Sonny Cott and Gary McClintock each making 22.

Harris Aslam and Scott Cameron picked up two wickets apiece but with such a modest total to defend were always fighting a losing cause.

The win puts Ireland in pole position to qualify for the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh next year, but you get the feeling that they may have missed a trick in not putting their run rate substantially out of sight of Scotland with a more aggressive approach to the run chase.

Let's hope it doesn't prove crucial in the final analysis.

Ireland take on Jersey tomorrow (THURS) in their next game, while Scotland face The Netherlands.

AT FB FIELDS

Ireland (2) beat Scotland (0) by 5 wickets.