CRICKET:IRELAND GOT off the mark at the Under-19 World Cup yesterday with a 69-run victory over Bermuda that was so comprehensive it made a nonsense of losing to the same poor opponents only eight days previously in Malaysia.

Ireland are clearly a better team and it showed as they competently amassed 236 for seven in 50 overs at the Johor Cricket Academy, and then set about bowling out Bermuda for 167.

After four defeats, the win gives the national side a shot at 13th place in a play-off today against Zimbabwe.

James Hall and Paul Stirling led the way with a partnership of 137 for the third wicket, then Greg Thompson hurried Bermuda to defeat with a five-wicket haul to draw level with Australian Moses Henriques in the all-time wicket-takers list in this tournament.

"That's lifted the spirits in the camp," coach Brían O'Rourke said. "We now have the chance to finish the tournament on a real high by beating a Test-playing nation for the first time."

O'Rourke can take some of the credit for yesterday's win for dropping Paul Stirling to number four in the batting order after scores of 2, 2, 5 and 7 as an opener. The change of position seemed to suit the chunky Cliftonville right-hander and he showed why he has been called into the senior squad with a quality half-century.

Hall has been Ireland's player of the tournament, so it was no surprise he continued his good form with an 82-ball top-score of 75.

But it was an innings from Stirling that had been missing, and his lack of confidence meant a cautious start before he began finding the middle of the bat.

At a sensible pace and taking few risks, Hall and Stirling clinically dismantled the Bermuda attack. Stirling hit two sixes to go with his four fours, and though Hall failed to clear the boundary his experience allows him to accumulate quickly without appearing to do so.

The only thing missing from their stand was good running. Both are big young men, and if they are to make the most of their obvious talents at senior level now is the time to start putting in the serious conditioning work.

When Stirling became too adventurous with a sweep and was bowled for 59, a total of 275 looked possible.

But then Hall clipped a return catch to Rodney Trott and the lower middle order did not have the shots or experience to make Bermuda suffer.

Anything over 200 was going to be enough, though, especially after good opening spells from Richard Keaveney and the impressive Andrew Britton.

But there was a moment or two of anxiety for O'Rourke when Trott and Malachy Jones quickly added 65 for the fourth wicket.

Thompson, who had held himself back, accounted for both in successive overs and, getting grip from the pitch, bowled his best spell of the tournament to finish with five for 26.

His fifth victim gave him 27 in three tournaments, and another today will at least send Ireland home on Monday with something worthwhile.

UNDER-19 WORLD CUP (at Johor Cricket Academy (Bermuda won toss): Ireland 236-7 (50 overs) (J Hall 75, P Stirling 59) Bermuda 167 (48.1 overs). Ireland bt Bermuda by 69 runs.

Consolation for Sri Lanka

ADAM GILCHRIST produced a scintillating 83 off 50 balls before a batting collapse by Australia gave Sri Lanka a consolation, 13-run victory in their triangular series one-day international yesterday.

Gilchrist smashed 11 boundaries and two sixes in his final innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground until the collapse derailed his team's pursuit of Sri Lanka's 221 all out.

Australia lost five wickets for eight runs to slump to 115 for five and were eventually bowled out for 208, despite 37 from Brett Lee that pushed them to within sight of victory.

Ishara Amerasinghe led the Sri Lankan bowlers with three for 44.

Australia had already qualified for the best-of-three finals and there was little riding on the match for either side.