The Netherlands Under 17's showed a new found quality of mental toughness as they battled back from a quite precarious 37 for 5 to record a 20 run win against Ireland in Utrecht.

Whereas in previous years the Dutch youngsters would have buckled, this crop showed steely character as they scored 100 in quite difficult conditions, with Shaquille Martina top scoring with 23 and double figure contributions from Julian Bradley (18), Ali Ahmed (17), and Saqib Zulfiqar (13).

Ru Jones (3-16) picked up his second three wicket haul of the week, while Tom Anders also bowled with great discipline to finish with 3 for 14.

Wessel Coster (2-7) bowled with great fire to dismiss openers Peter Eakin and Aaron Kennedy, and when Dan Doram and Ali Ahmed joined in, the Irish were in complete disarray at 49 for 6.

Rain forced the players from the field with Ireland 14 behind on D/L, but with both teams keen for a result on the pitch, play resumed with no reduction in overs.

Rishi Chopra offered the Irish some hope with a run a ball 15 (3 fours) before being brilliantly run out.

The Irish hopes then rested on the aggressive Mark Adair, who struck two fours and a six in his 25, before perishing to a boundary catch by Doram.

Din (2-17) then wrapped up proceedings by dismissing O'Keefe and Smith in quick succession to give his team a fully deserved 20 run win.

Netherlands U17 v Ireland U17 at Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht.
Netherlands U17 won by 20 runs
European U17 Challenge Series, only T20 match
Netherlands U17 100 (18.4 overs, Tom Anders 3-14, Ru Jones 3-16)
Ireland U17 80 (17.5 overs, Mark Adair 25; Daniel Doram 3-14)