Cricket InterContinental Cup: There was nothing pretty about Ireland's five-wicket InterContinental Cup win over Namibia but the number one objective was achieved. Between the inclement weather and bowler-friendly Clontarf wicket it was never going to be a match dominated by batsmen but it was as well the ball moved so much because Namibia would probably have got away with a rain-affected draw.

In total there were just 455 runs scored over the four days for the loss of 35 wickets and out of a potential 420 overs that could have been bowled, only 155.3 were sent down. The fact the game went down to the final afternoon should be taken as a reflection of how bad the weather was, not how good Namibia were.

That said, there were worrying signs for Ireland. Batsmen have to apply themselves a little better in tough situations. Only captain Trent Johnston did that, his 71 in the first innings the single highlight of Ireland's batting order. His first innings six-wicket haul was followed up with 2-24 in the second and he bowled excellent lines.

On Saturday Ireland needed to wrap up the Namibian tail and knock off the runs to take full points. The weather did its best to thwart that plan with the game only resuming at 2.30pm. But when Namibian Kola Burger was caught on the boundary by Peter Gillespie off the bowling of David Langford-Smith having added just six to his overnight score it was so far, so good for Ireland. Langford-Smith took the last couple of wickets also to give his batsmen the target of just 54 runs to win. They lost five wickets before getting over the line.

Meanwhile, in the Antalis Senior Cup on Saturday there were wins for Leinster over Clontarf, Rush over YMCA, CYM over Old Belvedere and Malahide over Pembroke. The game between Railway Union and Merrion at Anglesea Road was interrupted due to rain and will resume tonight at 6pm.

James Fitzgerald's weekly cricket column returns tomorrow.