The set dancers from the Nottingham Irish Centre put on a fine show here yesterday, entertaining the 3,000-strong holiday crowd with a few sparkling quadrilles.

Back out on the pitch Ireland's bowlers were well out of step, though, led on a merry dance by an in-form Nottinghamshire Outlaws side, who racked up 346 for nine from their 50 overs before going on to win this Friends Provident Trophy clash by 134 runs.

Ireland have bigger fish to fry here this summer, with their Twenty20 World Cup games taking place at the ground in just five weeks' time.

Even given the fact that coach Phil Simmons was short over half a team through county commitments and injury, this result will rankle with the big Trinidadian after his side came within one run of an upset victory in the same fixture last year.

The dismissal of Mark Wagh for 11 with the score on 22 brought together new signing Ali Brown and Alex Hales for a second-wicket partnership that would define the innings.

The former Surrey player Brown hit a whirlwind 89 from 57 deliveries, including 14 fours and two sixes.

However, Alex Hales' was the more impressive knock, the 20-year-old going on to score his maiden century for the county in only his third innings.

The return of Peter Connell ended their partnership of 150 off just 104 balls and he would prove Ireland's most successful bowler, taking four for 66 off his 10 overs.