Ireland defeat RHB's England

Ireland have beaten England by 6 runs in their second group game of the Hong Kong Sixes.

Rory Hamilton- Brown once again won the toss, and like yesterday, put the opposition in. His decision was justified when, after Darren Stevens' tight first over, Tom Smith had the dangerous Kevin O'Brien caught and bowled. Niall O'Brien joined Paul Stirling and started to find the boundary, until Stirling was caught behind for just 2 off the bowling of Hamilton- Brown.

However, the pair of O'Brien and John Mooney struck 25 off of the skipper's over, and followed that up by taking 24 off of Peter Trego's over. Niall O'Brien had to retire as he had past 35, but Mooney continued to find the boundary, with 15 coming off the final over which was bowled by Rikki Clarke. Ireland had reached 88-3 off of their 5 overs, and England would of been confident of chasing down a score similar to yesterday.

Peter Trego and Hamilton- Brown opened the batting once again, but George Dockrell got Ireland off to a good start, conceding just 6 off the first over. However, the English openers struck 17 off of the second over, which was bowled by Kevin O'Brien. With the score on 23-0 after two overs, England needed to up their rate to get to Ireland's score.

Upping the rate didn't happen, as Stirling and Cusack bowled 2 tight overs, which only went for 18. England required 37 off of the last over, so needing a no ball or a wide to help them to the total. Trego had to retire on 33 off a relatively slow 18 balls, which brought Darren Stevens to the crease.Off his 3 balls, he struck 3 sixes, but it was too much for the batsman, who fell 7 runs short of the target. RHB finished 22* off of just 9 balls, much quicker than Peter Trego.

So, England now have to win their last game to have a chance of qualifying to the finals stage, and they play arch rivals Australia. A change in the team maybe the answer, with Josh Cobb waiting in the wings, who could come in for the slow Peter Trego. Come back in an hour, where there will be a report of the important game.