The Women’s ODI between Ireland and The Netherlands at Rathmines, Dublin on Tuesday ended in a 78-run victory for the home side, after the Dutch run chase petered out.

The Irish batters did well to set a fairly big target, making 227 for eight in their fifty overs, nineteen-year-old Eimear Richardson top-scoring with a not out 50, made from just 44 balls.

Her innings transformed the game, as earlier the Dutch bowlers had managed to contain the top-order batters reasonably well. Martje Köster bowled ten overs for 32, and Marjolijn Molenaar and Annemarie Tanke each took two for 39 as the Irish run-rate was kept below four an over through the middle part of the innings.

But with Caitriona Beggs (36) and Clare Shillington (40) putting on a solid 65-run partnership for the second wicket and Jill Whelan contributing a valuable 28, Ireland always had wickets in hand, and the way was therefore clear for Richardson to raise the tempo in the final overs.

The Netherlands began their run-chase steadily, but despite a useful stand of 49 between opener Cheraldine Oudolf and Köster they were falling behind the required rate. The Irish opening bowlers, sisters Heather and Jill Whelan, both put in economical spells, Heather taking one for 24 in ten overs and Jill conceding 19 in nine, and Isobel Joyce (two for 32), Ciara Metcalfe and debutante Elaine Nolan all maintained the pressure.

Marijn Nijman made an undefeated 32 for the Dutch side, but the Irish total was never in danger even though The Netherlands lost only six wickets in their fifty overs.

The second ODI takes place at Park Avenue on Wednesday.