On Saturday at Eglinton there was to be no morale-boosting victory in the build-up to Toronto for the Ireland XI, as a team comprised mainly of North West professionals cruised to a four-wicket victory. The previous night, national coach Ken Rutherford answered those critics who were outraged only one North West player - Decker Curry - had been included in the 14man Toronto squad. Country came first, Rutherford said, and must always rate infinitely higher than club or provincial loyalties. There was a message here for players who had made themselves unavailable for Saturday's match. When Ireland won the toss and batted, there were useful contributions from Andy Patterson, Dom Joyce and skipper Kyle McCallan. Patterson's 54 was hit off 74 balls, with one six and four fours. But there was a sense of inevitability when the pros went in to bat, all the more so when Azhar Shaffique and Wayne Smith put on 46 for the first wicket. Shaffique was the game's top scorer with 111, off 160 deliveries and including 15 fours and a six.

Zahid Javed also added a brisk 49 off 48 balls, with three sixes and four fours. And ironically, the skipper Peter Gillespie, who of course failed to make the cut for Toronto, scored an unbeaten 26.

Ed Joyce (Dublin University), Adrian McCoubrey (Ballymena) and Derek Heasley (Lisburn) are out of the squad for this week's three-one day matches (tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday) against the MCC at the Shenley Centre in north London. Joyce and McCoubrey are not available, while Heasley is injured; Gary Neely (Donemana) and Conor Armstrong (North County) have been called in.

Meanwhile, Milverton will meet Willow Park in the Dublin Primary Schools Kwik Cricket final. In the north division, Milverton beat St Catherine's by four runs, with Lusk NS third and Balscadden NS fourth. In the southern division, Willow Park beat Whitechurch by 17 runs, Ballyroan Boys NS were third and St Pious fourth.