Ireland's cricketers begin their 20th NatWest Trophy campaign today in the north east of England in the unaccustomed position of being favourites to beat first round opponents Northumberland.

A 100 per cent record of played 19, lost 19, should end at the picturesque Jesmond ground against a team of capable but unexceptional club players.

Northumberland, who finished seventh of 10 in the Eastern Division of last year's minor county championship, do not even have an imported professional to worry coach Mike Hendrick's team.

After practice games over the weekend, the only selection poser for Ireland was whether or not to play two spinners on the small ground but Matt Dwyer got the nod to partner off spinner Kyle McCallan who conceded only eight runs off the bat in eight overs on Sunday.

The reason Ireland do not find themselves up against a first class county is that the England Cricket Board are trying to turn their premier one-day competition into the equivalent of the FA Cup by expanding it to take in 60 teams, including Denmark and Holland.

Should Ireland succeed in today's 50-over match their second round opponents in Belfast will be Essex - not the Essex of Nasser Hussain but another "recreational" team. The big boys don't join in until round three.

Ireland: Dunlop (capt), McCallan, Carson, Smyth, Dros, A Patterson, Joyce, Cooke, Eagleson, McGarrigle, Dwyer.

Clontarf recorded their second impressive victory of the weekend in the Lewis Traub league when faced with a modest North County score of 90 they hit off the runs for the loss of opening bat Deryck Vincent in just 22 overs at Castle Avenue yesterday.

Also in section A Merrion had a rewarding visit to Rush when after accumulating a fine 256 for 8 in which Dom Joyce was top scorer with 73 they dismissed the home side for 210.

Malahide at home accounted for Phoenix by five wickets thanks to a half century by Damien Ryan, while in the only game in section B YMCA finished 18 runs victors over The Hills who were not helped by four run outs.