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Scotland unbeaten, Ireland keep hopes alive

Ireland 238 for 9 (van der Merwe 60, Faudemer 3-33) beat Jersey 115 (Dockrell 4-34) by 123 runs
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Hosts Ireland ended Jersey's unbeaten run with a 123-run win at Bangor. After being put in to bat, Ireland got off to a good start as their openers Jason van der Merwe and Ryan Hunter added 61 for the first wicket in just 7.5 overs. Hunter was brillantly caught at short midwicket by Aidan McGuire for 29. van der Merwe reached 60 from 55 balls before he was caught, and the Jersey spinners took away the initiative, reducing Ireland to 138 for 7. The lower order then resisted as they added a vital 100 runs in the last 20 overs, with Graeme McCarter and Jordan Coughlan adding 52 for the 8th wicket. Adam Coughlan and Simon Olphert took Ireland up to 238 for 9. James Faudemer (3-33) and Ben Stevens (2-30) were the best bowlers for Jersey.

Daniel McAviney and William began the chase in earnest, as they advanced to 67-0 in just 11 overs. Shane Getkate took two quick wickets to peg Jersey back before George Dockrell claimed Falle for a quick 43. Dockrell finished with 4 for 34 as the Jersey innings was wrapped up for 115 in under 30 overs.

Netherlands 52 for 2 beat Denmark 47 (Braat 5-11, Tewarie 3-5) by eight wickets
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Ballymena witnessed a bizarre batting performance from Denmark as they batted out 42 overs and managed just 47 against Netherlands. After deciding to bat, Denmark had no answer to the hostile opening attack of Dutch captain Sebastiaan Braat, who took 5 for 11, and Robert van der Harten, who took 2 for 5. The pair reduced Denmark to 16 for 7, before Anders Bulow made an obdurate 23 off 90 balls, hitting the only two boundaries of the innings. Netherlands passed their modest target with eight wickets and 36.3 overs to spare.

Scotland 94 for 1 (Luthra 43*) beat Guernsey 93 (Legget 5-19) by nine wickets
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Scotland stayed very much on course to claim the title when they overpowered Guernsey to record a nine-wicket win in another low-scorer at Lurgan. Guernsey were made to regret their decision at the toss as they struggled to face the Scottish seamers. Peter Legget got movement through the air and off the pitch to finish with figures of 5 for 19 in seven overs, as Guernsey managed only 93 in 36.4 overs. Scotland reached the target in 16 overs with Anjan Luthra making an unbeaten 43.

Two World Cup places and the title are still up for grabs as the tournament heads to the final day. Scotland and Jersey go head to head, while Ireland take on Netherlands. With Scotland's run-rate suitably improved, it will now take not just a Jersey victory, but a convincing one to deny Scotland one of the two World Cup qualifier places on offer.