A superb attacking innings from Neil Rock transformed an Irish run chase against Scotland at Farmers Field on Thursday, seeing his side to a two-wicket victory which had seemed improbable when he came to the crease with Ireland on 106 for five chasing a target of 232.
After an aggressive opening the Scottish spinners, Angus Beattie and Haroon Tahir, had pegged the Irish middle order down, but Rock immediately went onto the attack, surviving a clear chance when he had made just six, and his partner Graham Kennedy soon responded, lifting his own game.
The pair added 55 for the sixth wicket, and after Kennedy departed for a 65-ball 43, Rock and Josh Little put on a further 63 from only 39 deliveries as the Scottish bowling and fielding crumbled, setting up an exciting conclusion.
Just 8 were needed when Rock was stumped off Rory Johnston for 53, made from 46 deliveries with five fours, and only two when, in the next – and penultimate – over, Little was caught behind off Ihtesham Malik for a 23-ball 37 with four fours and a six.
The game was back in the balance, but the two singles needed came off the first four balls of the final over, and Ireland were home with two balls to spare.
It had all been very different as Scotland dominated the first 36 overs of the match after James Dickinson won the toss and Owais Shah (92) and Calum Garden (81) put on 170 in an outstanding opening stand which gave their side a wonderful platform.
It took a great catch by JJ Garth at long on to break the partnership, but the rest of the batsmen were unable to capitalise, and it was only Rory Johnston’s unbeaten 26 which enabled them to reach a total of 231 for six, at least 30 fewer than had seemed likely when Shah and Garden were in full cry.
Ihtesham Malik again bowled impressively as Ireland began their chase, and then the spinners slammed on the brakes.
But it was Rock, supported by Kennedy and Little, who would have the last word.
"Myself and Graham had to lift the intensity, we were probably batting a bit slow, there was a big enough target there and we had to get on with it a bit," said Rock who was pipped to the Man-of-the-Match accolade by Kennedy.
"It was a nice pitch and I think we did well to keep them to 230 considering they were 170 or so for none so credit to our bowlers.
"It was a bit nervy as every run seemed hard to come by at the end so we're just delighted to get over the line." added the Rush batsman.
Ireland are back in action tomorrow (FRI) when they take on hosts Jersey, who crushed Denmark by 8 wickets after skittling them for just 59.
U19 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
At Farmers Field, Ireland beat Scotland by two wickets
SCOTLAND 231-6 (50 overs; Owais Shah 92, Calum Garden 81, Rory Johnston 26;, Graham Kennedy 3-31)
IRELAND 232-8 (49.4 overs; Neil Rock 53, Graham Kennedy 43, Josh Little 37, Mark Donegan 23, Morgan Topping 20, Ihtesham Malik 3-37)