JOSH LITTLE'S superb all-round performance helped Ireland to an ultimately comfortable 76-run win over hosts Jersey in the opening match of the U19 World Cup Qualifiers.
The Irish international top scored with 33 as the Irish tail wagged, recovering from a precarious 157 for 8 to post 200 for 9.
There were also valuable contributions from Neil Rock (26), Max Neville (22), and Mark Donegan (21) in the Irish batting, which struggled at times to impose itself on the disciplined Jersey attack.
Spinner Ben Ward impressed with 3 for 30, while there were two wickets apiece for Daniel Birrell (2-29) and Julius Sumerauer (2-44).
The Jersey reply never really got going as Little (3-16) and Max Neville (1-19) blew away the Islanders top order.
All seven Irish bowlers used took wickets, with skipper Harry Tector (2-24) exerting great control as the required rate steadily increased while wickets fell at regular intervals.
Ed Giles (20) led an all too brief revival but Jersey were dismissed for 124, as the Irish closed out a 76-run win.
Ireland are back in action tomorrow when they take on Denmark at FB Fields. The Danes lost to Scotland in the other match by 72 runs.
UNDER 19 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
At Farmers Field, Ireland U19 beat Jersey U19 by 76 runs
Ireland 200-9 (50 overs; J Little 33, N Rock 26, M Neville 22*, M Donegan 21; B Ward 3-30, D Birrell 2-29, J Sumerauer 2-44)
Jersey 124 all out (39.1 overs; E Giles 20; J Little 3-16, H Tector 2-24)