Cricket/ Ireland v Somerset: Ireland made a limp end to their C&G Trophy season at Stormont, going down in disappointing circumstances to a Somerset side that they will really feel were there for the taking.

Chasing an eminently gettable total of 239 runs to win at a ground where 260 or even 270 would be considered par, Ireland got off to a solid start, putting on 44 for the first wicket. But then Jeremy Bray was out, caught by James Hildreth for 25, and he was followed back to the pavilion at all-too-regular intervals by his team-mates.

Andy White (24) and Kyle McCallan (28) had a useful little partnership towards the end but it was never going to be enough.

Having lost the toss, Ireland would have been happy to settle for that run chase at half-time though. For once their front-line bowlers got the side off to a good start as Somerset stuttered early on to 67 for 3 with dangerman Justin Langer back in the hutch having been caught by wicketkeeper Gary Wilson off the bowling of Andre Botha for just 26. Somerset continued to show less-than-convincing batting with none of them making it past the 50 mark and only Keith Parsons making it into the 40s.

For Ireland Botha bowled particularly well, finishing with figures of 3 for 32 off nine overs while Trent Johnston (2-40) and McCallan (2-43) also did their bit.

Meanwhile, Railway Union and Malahide will fight it out in the final of the Dublin Grass Machinery 45 Overs League having successfully come through their respective semi-final matches on Saturday. A century from Kenny Carroll ensured that Railway posted a total of 218 for 7 off 33 overs at Milverton.

Not far away in Kenure, Rush batted first but only managed 164 all out, a total that Malahide struggled to get but finally got there with seven wickets down. The final takes place on July 9th.