Ireland coach, Mike Hendrick, demanded more consistency from his principal batsmen after Saturday's tame surrender in the five-wicket defeat by the South Africa Academy . Yesterday, his wishes were fulfilled as the Irish squared the series with a similar victory at Eglinton .
Last Sunday's win at Rathmines was assisted by the elements but yesterday Ireland achieved the required result purely on merit in an exciting contest which saw more than 500 runs scored. Jason Molins scored 97 of them as Ireland successfully chased a victory target of 259 which they reached in the penultimate over. Barry Archer weighed in with 67 and team captain Angus Dunlop was there to close unbeaten on 39.
On Saturday, extras were the biggest source of runs - two more in fact than Gordon Cooke's top score of 26 in an Irish total of 124. The tourists made light of their task, reaching the required target with more than 30 overs to spare for the loss of five wickets.
SATURDAY
Ireland 124 (G Cooke 26; T Henderson 3-12, W Windfield 3-22, D Pretorius 2-36), South Af- rica Academy 125-5 (29.4 overs) (J Bryant 38, J Ontong 35 not out, G Molins 2-21, J Davy 232). South Africa Academy won by five wickets.
SUNDAY
South Africa Academy 258-5 (A Jacobs 85, J Bryant 68 , G Molins 2-52), Ireland 261-5 (J Molins 97, B Archer 67, A Dunlop 39 not out). Ireland won by five wickets.
