/ 10 July 1999

SA bludgeon Irish

MONDAY, 12.30PM:

THE South African side on a short tour of Ireland mauled the Irish bowling in their first limited-overs match at Downpatrick on Friday, scoring 333/9 for in their allotted 50 overs.

The Irish sent the South Africans in to bat, and struck quickly, removing the South African top three for 29 runs in eight overs.

The tourists overcame the early slump, with the middle order bludgeoning the leather to all corners of the park. The South African tail also wagged furiously.

Shaun Pollock scored an unbeaten 116 and was well-supported by Mark Boucher who hit eight fours and a six in his innings of 79 scored off only 70 deliveries.

The pair chalked up 177 for the fifth wicket building a foundation for the tail-end onslaught which saw Pat Symcox, Steve Elworthy and Paul Adams piling up some quick runs.

The smallish crowd watching the match at the Downpatrick club, where the pavilion was burnt down by arsonists two weeks ago, were treated to some spectacular batting.