Ireland's Under-19 cricketers slipped to an eight-wicket loss to South Africa in their 9th place quarter-final play-off at the Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.
Wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker continued his consistent form in the tournament, top scoring with an unbeaten 77 in a modest Irish total of 185-7. The Pembroke teenager struck seven fours and cleared the boundary ropes once in his 98 ball stay, helping the Irish recover from a precarious 71-5.
His brother Fiachra was second highest score with 20, but despite starts from top order batters Jack Tector (18), Adam Dennison (16), and William McClintock (14), none was able to kick on and make a significant contribution.
Ireland gave first appearances in the competition to the County Tyrone pair of Andrew Austin and Aaron Gillespie, but Ireland were never really in contention against a strong South African side. Chasing 186, the Africans broke the back of the chase with an opening stand of 104 between Kyle Verreynne and Liam Smith.
Smith was trapped lbw by Fiachra Tucker (1-53) one short of his half-century, but Wiaan Mulder joined Verreynne in another significant stand of 62 to take South Africa to the brink of victory.
Man of the Match Verreynne had reached 77 from 109 balls (7 fours, 1 six) before being well caught by Tom Stanton off the bowling of Waringstown's Adan Dennison (1-27).
Mulder's undefeated 43 guided South Africa safely home with 24 balls and eight wickets to spare.
ICC UNDER 19 WORLD CUP
IRELAND 185/7 (50 overs, L Tucker 77*, F Tucker 20, D Galiem 2-22, W Ludick 2-43)
SOUTH AFRICA 187/2 (46 overs, K Verreynne 77, L Smith 49,W Mulder 43*, A Dennison 1-27, F Tucker 1-53)
South Africa beat Ireland by 8 wickets
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