Date-stamped : 12 Aug97 - 14:43 Comment by Gerry Byrne The annual three day match between Ireland and Scotland ended at Malahide in a tense and exciting draw. Scotland, having looked clear favourites to win, found themselves with the last pair having to hold on through the last 2 and a half Overs for a draw. After morning rain on the first day caused play to be delayed until 2.30, Scotland captain George Salmond won the toss and send Ireland in. His ploy seemd to have worked when Ireland were 165 for 7 at the close of the first day. Two early wickets on the second day left Ireland at 170 for 9 and Scotland looking to be in an excellent position. However, the Ireland last pair, John Davy and Paul McCrum added exactly 100 undefeated. This not alone brought Ireland to the undreamt of total of 270 for 9 declared, but also was the first ever century partnership for Ireland for the 10th wicekt, beating a 73 year old record. Ireland seemed, in the context of time lost, to have batted too long for the good of the game. However, Scotland quickly raced to 189 for 3 when, on the fall of his own wicket, Salmond declared 81 behind, putting it up to Justin Benson to make a match of it. Benson's own rapid 61* enabled him to declare setting Scotland 274 to win in what turned out to be 61 Overs. After losing two wickets by the time the total reached 47, Salmond and Bruce Patterson then came together with a partnership of 144 which seemed to have won the game for Scotland. They were both still together when the last hour started with Scotland needing 116 in 20 Overs. They had reduced this to only 83 off 15 and a half Overs when Patterson got out. Even then with 7 wickets in hand Scotland still seemed clear favourites. Wickets however then fell regularly and the key moment was when skipper Salmond, on 89, was run out seeking to take a second run on a misfield. Wickets continued to fall and eventually the last pair came to the wicket with 15 balls still to be bowled. These were negotiated thought not without alarms as Thomson was missed off a stumping chance in the second last over. To be fair to wicket- keeper Patterson, substituting for Rutherford who had injured a muscle, the ball did brush the pad of Thomson which made it somewhat more difficult. Contributed by Gerard Byrne (byrnegy@iol.ie)