Bermuda 275-8

Ireland 276-6

A match they might just as easily have won slipped out of Bermuda's grasp at the Jaffrey's Sports Ground today as they were again left to reflect on a less than impressive bowling performance.

Ireland, who had beaten Bermuda comfortably in their last two ICC Trophy encounters, were made to fight all the way on this occasion as they eventually reached their target with just eight balls to spare.

But they were assisted in no small part by both indisciplined bowling and blunders in the field which left Bermuda sitting at the bottom of the pile after the second round of World One-Day League matches.

Having posted a challenging total of 275 off their 50 overs - their best ODI total in several months - Bermuda's attack was unable to defend it, although Dwayne Leverock and his ever-reliable spin and medium pacer Janeiro Tucker both made a brave attempt.

Others such as pacer Kevin Hurdle, who conceded 29 in three wild, wicketless overs and young Delyone Borden, who snatched two scalps but gave up 58 runs in eight overs, must shoulder much of the blame for the four-wicket loss.

Coach Gus Logie had spoken after Monday's 10-wicket thrashing by Kenya about the batsmen's responsibility to put a total on the board which his bowlers could realistically defend.

And yesterday they responded magnificently, led by openers Clay Smith (52) and Dean Minors (51) who combined for a stand of 79 in less than 14 overs, a whirlwind start which the rest of the early order continued to build on.

Skipper Irving Romaine contributed 26, Lionel Cann 44 and David Hemp 35.

And while the innings seemed to lose direction during the middle overs when a score in excess of 300 still appeared on the cards, there can have been few complaints about the eventual total of 275.

But ultimately it still wasn't enough, Ireland opener and man of the match William Porterfield (112) stroking a chanceless and beautifully paced century to steer his side to victory.

BERMUDA v IRELAND

Scoreboard from today's match between Bermuda and Ireland at the Jaffrey's Sports Club in Nairobi (Ireland won the toss):

BERMUDA

Clay Smith lbw K.McCallan 52

Dean Minors c and b A.White 51

Irving Romaine c K.O'Brien b A.White 26

Lionel Cann c K.McCallum b K.O'Brien 44

David Hemp c K.Carroll b K.O'Brien 35

Janeiro Tucker b A.Botha 12

Saleem Mukuddem c W.Rankin b A.Botha 7

Malachi Jones b A.Botha 2

Kevin Hurdle not out 10

Delyone Borden not out 1

Extras (5lb, 5nb, 25w) 35

Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) 275

Did not bat: Dwayne Leverock

Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-159, 3-162 4-237, 5-241, 6-256, 7-263, 8-263

Bowling: Trent Johnston 5-0-35-0; William Rankin 4-0-25-0; Paul Mooney 3-017-0; Kevin O'Brien 8-1-38-2; Kyle McCallan 10-2-37-1; A.Botha 10-0-74-3; A.White 10-044-2

IRELAND

William Porterfield not out 112

Kenneth Caroll c Mukuddem b Jones 28

Eoin Morgan c M.Jones b J.Tucker 0

Niall O'Brien c J.Tucker b D.Leverock 25

Kevin O'Brien c Jones b Leverock 54

Andre Botha c Jones b Borden 9

Kyle McCallan b Borden 4

Trent Johnston not out 13

Extras (4b, 7nb, 16w) 31

Total (6 wickets, 48.4 overs) 276

Did not bat: A.White, P.Mooney, B.Rankin

Fall of wickets: 1-78, 2-79, 13-35, 4-224, 5-243, 6-256

Bowling: Saleem Mukuddem 8-1-41-0; Malachi Jones 7-1-38-1; Kevin Hurdle 3-0-29-0; Janeiro Tucker 10-0-43-1; Borden 8-0-58-2; Leverock 10-0-34-2; Lionel Cann 2.4-0-22-0

Result: Ireland won by four wickets

Man of the match: William Porterfield (Ireland)

Umpires: Nadir Shah (Bangladesh), Subash Modi (Kenya)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama