Ireland turned in another battling display in the Friends Provident Trophy on Sunday, showing fighting qualities in their 39 run loss to Leicestershire.

With the County side sitting at 190-1 with 12 overs remaining, a total of near 300 was expected. However, a fine all round bowling display saw them peg them back, and just 61 runs came in those closing overs, which so often has been Ireland's achilles heel.

New West Indian recruit Ravi rampaul impressed on debut, and although his figures mightn't show it (1-49), and he bowled and fielded with plenty of fire and spirit. He suffred from a few edges which eluded the slip cordon, and crucially also a dropped chance by Paul Stirling, Hylton Ackerman the lucky beneficiary, on 20. He went on to make the Irish suffer for that mistake, scoring 103 from 129 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six.

He shared in an opening stand of 103 with Thomas New (31), and then added a further 87 with James Allenby (62). Thinus Fourie (2-45), Kevin O'Brien (1-45) and Kyle McCallan (1-38) all stuck to their task manfully as Leicestershire closed on 251 for 6.

In reply both William Porterfield and Reinhardt Strydom hit 2 boundaries, before being dismissed for 12 apiece. Alex Cusack (23) and Paul Stirling (11) then added 31 for the 3rd wicket, before 3 wickets fell for the addition of just a single, and Ireland were reeling at 68-5.

An enterprising stand of 109 between Gary Wilson (58) and Andrew White (52) gave the Irish hope, but James Allenby (4-44) ended their hopes, as they finished on 212 all out.

Ireland now travel to play Northants today.