Ireland's Under 19's crashed to a five wicket defeat by The Netherlands in the first match of their three game series at Merrion.

James McCollum's 94 was the highlight of their below par total of 216 - the Waringstown batsman hiting 11 boundaries in his 125 ball stay at the crease.

Rory Anders hit an unbeaten 35 to get their total up to 216 but the Irish attack knew it would take something special to defend their total at the half way stage.

Adriaan Verbeek took four wickets but at a cost of 60, while there were two wickets apiece for Asad Zulfiqar (2-28) and Hudde Overdijk (2-43).

Overdijjk was to prove the hero with the bat too, hitting an unbeaten 72 from 76 balls (9 fours, 1 six) to set up the comfortable five wicket win.

The Dutch innings had been given the perfect platform with an opening stand of 91 between Tim Etman (50) and Saqib Zulfiqar (27), before both fell in successive deliveries to Peter Eakin (2-29).

A deserved win for the Netherlands, while Ireland will be looking for a much improved display when the teams meet again tomorrow (WED) at Rathmines.

At Merrion,

Ireland U19 216 all out (50 overs, James McCollum 94, Rory Anders 35*, Sonny Cott 18, Gary McClintock 16, Adriaan Verbeek 4-60, Asad Zulfiqar 2-28, Hidde Overdijk 2-43, Sikander Zulfiqar 1-33)

Netherlands U19 219/5 (47 overs, Hidde Overdijk 72*, Tim Etman 50, Saqib Zulfiqar 27, Tonny Staal 24, Peter Eakin 2-29, Fiachra Tucker 1-38, Robert Gamble 1-40, Rishi Chopra 1-42)

Netherlands win by 5 wickets