Ireland threw the European Championships wide open with a nerve-wracking 10-run victory over a spirited Dutch side today.
Ireland racked up a daunting 181 for nine in a rain-reduced 31 overs but they were made to sweat as Holland took the game to the wire.
They are now poised level on points with Holland and Scotland, who beat Denmark by 85 runs earlier today. An English Cricket Board X1 are two points clear of all three but still have the Scots and the Dutch to play.
The action got underway late after a lengthy rain delay and Ireland made a hesitant start, losing Jeremy Bray and captain Jason Molins, who recovered from a hamstring injury in time to play, early on.
But the Irish middle-order soon stamped their authority on the game with Andre Botha, Andrew White and Trent Johnston all cashing in.
Botha was run out on 24 trying to up the rate after a sharp piece of boundary fielding saw him fail to make his ground but there was no relent for the Dutch, with Johnson putting the visitors firmly in the driving seat with a stunning knock.
The Australian-born all-rounder had the crowd diving for cover when he notched 49 in just 30 balls, including a host of sixes as he despatched the Dutch attack to all corners of the ground.
He eventually fell one run short of his half-century to medium-pacer Tim de Leede, with White also perishing in his forties to a smart return catch from skipper Luuk van Troost.
Kyle McCallan also fell victim to some typically feverish Dutch fielding, departing for 12 while running on a miss-field in a bid to up the tempo.
JJ Esmeijer claimed two wickets in the last three balls as Ireland closed on a daunting 181 for nine.
Fresh from skittling the Dutch in Ireland's three-day victory in Deventer last week, Naseer Shoukat made early inroads with the wicket of Tom de Grooth, caught behind by Steve Ogilby.
But the hosts rallied and were poised on 100 for two off 20 overs with danger man Dan van Bunge just five short of his half-century.
Man-of-the-match Johnston eventually bowled him for 50 on his way to three for 44, with Gordon Cooke chipping in with two for 37 as the Irish squeaked home.
PA