Gary Wilson and William Porterfield gave Ireland a solid start to their crucial four-day game against Hong Kong at Stormont on Tuesday as John Bracewell's charges eyed the chance to go top of the Intercontinental Cup table.

Winning the toss and batting first Ireland posted a total of 316 all out with both batsmen falling just short of deserved centuries.

Porterfield and Ed Joyce got things going with a 53-run opening stand before Joyce nicked one to the cordon and was out for 26- the first of four victims for the impressive Tanwir Afzal (4-63). 

John Anderson (13), Niall O'Brien (14), Paul Stirling (20) and Kevin OBrien (6) came and went after that as Ireland faced trial by spin but the skipper remained defiant before being trapped leg before by Nadeem Ahmed for 88. 

Porterfield's knock contained 12 fours and a six and was ended by the defiant left-armer who bowled 26 overs on the trot to finish with figures of 4-73. 

Wilson was still there though and he and George Dockrell- back in the side after a good performances at Interprovincial level- added 65 for the 7th wicket before Dockrell fell to Tanwir for 32 (6 fours). 

Unfortunately for Surrey batsman Wilson however, he too was to come up just short of his personal milestone- caught behind the wicket off the bowling of Tanwir for 95 (13 fours and a six)- an excellent effort nonetheless. 

A final total of 316 was probably above par on a turning track as far as the home side were concerned but Ireland's cause was aided by a few missed chances from Hong Kong in the field.

Hong Kong had seven overs to negotiate themselves before play ended for the day and negotiate them they did, but only just as George Dockrell could consider himself unfortunate not to claim one lbw verdict with his first delivery.

Play is set to resume on Wednesday at 11am.

***Cricket Ireland have released Barry McCarthy from the InterContinental Cup squad so he can play for Durham in their County Championship match against Nottinghamshire which gets under way at the Emirates Riverside tomorrow (WED) at 11am. McCarthy was left out of the starting line-up along with Andrew McBrine.***

SUMMARY SCOREBOARD 

At Stormont- Intercontinental Cup (Day 1 of 4)

Ireland 316 all out (86.1 overs, G Wilson 95, W Porterfield 88, G Dockrell 32, E Joyce 26, P Stirling 20, T Afzal 4-63, N Ahmed 4-73)

Hong Kong 2-0 (7 overs)