Irish survive at Stormont

Ireland edged out Bermuda by just four runs in a woefully low-scoring encounter at Stormont.

Low scoring contest goes Ireland's way.

Ireland edged out Bermuda by just four runs in a woefully low-scoring encounter at Stormont to squeeze into the next rounds of the World twenty20 qualifiers. Ireland batted first but a rain storm meant that the game was reduced to a nine-over hit out, but the hosts could only muster a meagre total of 43. George O'Brien, Stefan Kelly and Irving Romaine all took three wickets for Bermuda but they gave away eight runs in extras - more than any Irish batsman could muster - and that proved to be a real difference. Gary Wilson was the top scorer for the home side with his seven runs as Ireland looked to have thrown their chances of progression away. A revised target of 46 was drawn up for the Bermudans, but they lost two wickets before they even managed to put a run up on the board - one of them being captain David Hemp. Stefan Outerbridge and James Celestine added 14 for the third wicket as Outerbridge's hefty score of eight made him the game's top run scorer. Ireland's bowlers hit back though and Peter Connell took 3-8 and Andre Botha 2-4 and as Kevin O'Brien kept it tight in the final over Bermuda could only manage to make it to 41-8.