Ireland's Under 17's slipped to a 63-run defeat against Hampshire at Waringstown in the first game of their series.
Batting first the powerful Hampshire batting line-up posted an impressive 268 in their 50 overs with no fewer than 8 of the top 9 reaching double figures.
Tom South top scored with 47, while there were attacking cameos from Harry Gadd (41) and Scott Currie (36).
Irish skipper Harry Tector was the stand-out bowler taking 4-40, while Merrion seamer Sean Stanton also impressed taking 3-43.
The Irish reply got off to a poor start with openers Marcus Poskitt and Andrew Vincent both falling cheaply.
Alex Stiles and Rory McGovern set about repairing the damage with a 3rd wicket stand of 54, before McGovern was bowled by Zac Organ (2-31).
Stiles went on to an impressive half century from 77 balls (5 fours) but fell immediately afterwards, and was soon followed by Neil Rock and Harry Tector as the Irish slumped to 122 for 6.
JJ Garth (36) and Varun Chopra (33*) added 67 for the 7th wicket but with the required rate ever increasing it was more about respectability than a serious run chase in the latter stages - the Irish eventually dismissed for 205 in 48 overs.
The teams meet again today (WED) and tomorrow - both games are at Belmont.
IRELAND U17'S v HAMPSHIRE U17'S
At The Lawn, Hampshire beat Ireland by 63 runs
Hampshire 268 all out (50 overs; T South 47, H Gadd 41, S Currie 36, J Dhariwal 24, C Campbell 22, G Metzger 22, P Holly 21; H Tector 4-40, S Stanton 3-43)
Ireland 205 all out (48 overs; A Stiles 50, JJ Garth 36, V Chopra 33*, R McGovern 26; S Currie 2-20, Z Organ 2-31, A Dale 2-35)