AN UNBEATEN 78 from Ed Joyce helped Ireland keep up their bid for World Twenty20 qualification with a win over Scotland today.

Joyce was player of the match and hit the last two balls of the innings for six during the Group B meeting in Dubai, which Ireland won by 17 runs.

Both teams had gone into this with one defeat each and knew a win was crucial if either are to make it to September’s finals in Sri Lanka.

Kevin O’Brien bowled for the first time in the tournament because of injuries to William Porterfield and Alex Cusack and the Railway Union all-rounder filled in superbly, finishing with three wickets for 35 from his four overs.

I don’t often hit sixes so I think those last two balls were crucial”, Joyce said on ESPN afterwards. “Instead of facing seven and a half an over they needed eight, so those hits were useful.”

Ireland are two points behind Namibia after the win and face Uganda and Oman next week. If they manage to finish second in the group, a play-off with the third-placed team in Group A awaits.

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