It wasn't pretty but hot favourites England beat Ireland by four wickets in their T20 Women's World Cup clash in Paarl in South Africa.
England chased a tally of 106 for victory, but they wobbled over the line, falling from 70 for 1 to 107 for 6 by the finish.
Ireland, after a good start, simply didn’t put enough runs on the board but they will take heart from a decent comeback in the England reply, making the world number 2 side work for their winning runs.
Irish captain Laura Delaney won the toss and elected to bat on a blisteringly hot day and despite a decent start when they were 80 for 2, some excellent England bowling pegged back Ireland in the remaining overs, the last 8 wickets for Ireland falling for just 25 runs
England won their opening game against the West Indies but they found Ireland tricky opponents with openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis putting on 35 runs in the batting powerplay, before Hunter was out for 15 in the sixth over.
Orla Prendergast, in at number three in the order, showed real intent before she was bowled by Sarah Glenn for 17 off just 15 deliveries in the ninth over.
The game then changed in England's favour as Lewis moved to 36 off 36 before being caught in the deep leaving Ireland on for 80/3 in the 13th over.
Eimear Richardson (0) Louise Little (6) Mary Waldron (5) Leah Paul (0) Arlene Kelly (1) Laura Delaney (12) all fell in quick succession after Lewis’ departure with Ireland guilty of not using up their full allocation of 20 overs, all out for 105 in the 19th over
Sophie Ecclestone, the number one ranked bowler in womens T20 cricket, took three Irelands wickets for just 13.
In reply, England lost Sophie Dunkley (4) who was caught at mid off in the first Orla Prendergast over.
However, Alice Capsey made 50 off 21 deliveries before she was brilliantly caught by Leah Paul off Arlene Kelly’s bowling with England 70 for 2.
Ireland ran out Danni Wyatt for 16 and Cara Murray took three England wickets before the end, at least managing to give Ed Joyce’s side a boost ahead of their next match against Pakistan on Wednesday.
England beat Ireland by four wickets
Ireland 105 all out in 18.2 overs
(Gaby Lewis 36, Orla Prendergast 17; Sophie Ecclestone 3-13, Sarah Glenn 3-19)
England 107/6 in 14.2 overs
(Alice Capsey 51, Heather Knight 14; Cara Murray 3-15, Orla Prendergast 1-13)
