The Ireland under-19s beat the Americas by 85 runs in their Plate match in the Youth World Cup in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday.

For the fourth time in as many matches Peter Shields won the toss and decided to bat. At first, the wisdom of the captain's decision looked questionable, as Ireland slipped to 73 for 3 by the 23rd over.

However, Andrew White and John Mooney put on a valuable 27 runs for the fourth wicket, before Mooney was run out, having scored a lively 22 off 35 deliveries, including three fours.

White went on to become topscorer, his 76 being hit off 103 balls, including seven fours, and he was eighth man out, when Ireland had reached 156 in the 43rd over.

Keith Spelman contributed another invaluable knock, scoring a defiant 29 before he was run out, setting the Americas a winning target of 184.

But they fell well short of it, thanks to some tight Irish bowling and smart fielding. Dwayne McGerrigle had picked up 3 wickets for 24 by his ninth over, White ended a fine personal performance by taking 3 for 25 off seven overs, while Spelman captured 2 for 13 off six.

The victory now leaves the door ajar for a Plate semi-final place.