Cricket - Ireland and Hampshire share the spoils

Ireland and Hampshire Under 17's again shared the spoils in their two T20 games at Belmont yesterday (THURS).

Alex Stiles brilliant half-century propelled the Irish to an emphatic 113-run win in the morning contest. The Railway Union top-order player smashed 6 sixes and a four as he top scored with 70 from just 45 balls as the Irish posted 179 for 4.

Opener Ollie Metcalfe's powerful 27 from 15 balls (4 fours, 1 six) set the tone for the Irish innings which was continued by Stiles, and also entertaining cameos from skipper Harry Tector (35) and Marcus Poskitt (22).

Hampshire's reply got off to a disastrous start as they slumped to 11 for 5, and they eventually limped to 66 for 9, with two wickets apiece for Harry Tector and Gregory McFaul. Two run-outs didn't help the visitors cause, while there were also one wicket apiece for Ian Anders, Sean Stanton and Varun Chopra.

The second match was an altogether closer affair as Hampshire scored 128 for 9 batting first - Will Wyatt (27) and Cole Campbell (24) their main contributors.

Seanan Jones (2-20), Harry Tector (2-21) and Sean Stanton (2-26) all picked up two wickets apiece for the Irish.

The Irish were soon on the back foot as Scott Currie (2-3) took early wickets, and it took a determined 28 from Harry Tector to get them back in the game. 

Some late order hitting from Sean Stanton (24) got them close, but they finished 15 runs adrift - only batting 9 players due to a combination of injuries and illness.

Ireland U17's v Hampshire U17's

Match 1, At Belmont, Ireland beat Hampshire by 113 runs

Ireland 179-4 (20 overs; A Stiles 70, H Tector 35, O Metcalfe 27, M Poskitt 22; J Vaughan 2-27, S Currie 2-35)

Hampshire 66-9 (20 overs; H Tector 2-6, G McFaul 2-6)

Match 2, At Belmont, Hampshire beat Ireland by 15 runs

Hampshire 128-9 ( W Wyatt 27, C Campbell 24, S Jones 2-20, H Tector 2-21, S Stanton 2-26)

Ireland 113-8 (18.5 overs; H Tector 28, S Stanton 24, S Currie 2-3, O Southon 2-19)