For the third successive year Donald Shearer was not available all season for Ireland. From the team originally selected for this match L Armstrong and J Bowden cried off and were replaced by H Martin and JW Hill.

This was a game of fluctuating fortunes, the balance swinging first to one side and then to the other. A half-hour of rain on the last afternoon probably prevented a definite decision and the game ended in a draw. At the finish Ireland required 43 runs to win with two wickets in hand. The first day ended with Scotland at the wicket for the second time and after one innings apiece Ireland had gained a lead of 60 runs. Scotland were all out for 58 immediately after lunch. Chisholm and Allen put on 26 for the first wicket before the appearance of the destroying agent - Boucher. When Boucher came on he was devastating. He bowled 16.1 overs, 8 maidens and took 7-18. The wicket was never at any time difficult, although it took spin but not at a speed that would justify the timid and tentative strokes that marked most of the batting on both sides.

With the score at 26 Boucher caught and bowled Allen and then a Scottish procession began as the Phoenix off spinner bowled his next five victims and he finished the innings after lunch when Ingram took a catch in the slips. Ireland looked as if they would do much worse than the home team because at one stage six wickets were down for 20 - Youngson claiming four and Stewart two. The cream of the batting was gone - Bergin, Jacobson, Caprani, Pollock, Ingram and Warke were all out, but the tail wagged to the extent of 98 runs for the last four wickets. First came Martin and Boucher who added 33 for the seventh wicket before Martin was yorked. Gill, too good a batsman to be at number nine, succeeded Martin but he lost Boucher at 66, Youngson bowling him for 21. Hill came in and with Gill a further 45 runs were scored before Gill was bowled by Stewart for 37 - the top score of the day. The YMCA man played with great confidence, scoring well all round the wicket. The innings closed for 118, Youngson finishing with the fine analysis of 7-42. Youngson brings the ball down from a great height and swing was very late in flight. In the last half-hour Scotland made 23-0, Peterson and Allen being the opening pair.

The second day was most interesting and during the day the game underwent many changes. Firstly Aitchison and Allen wiped out Ireland's first innings lead. They put on 78 and then Miller brilliantly stumped Allen off Warke. As usually happens the other partner soon left being caught next over with the total unchanged. Both had played very well and Scotland now appeared to be on top. But rude shocks followed and six wickets were down for 111. Boucher had got three of these and the game looked to be over. However, a great stand followed. Henderson was joined by his captain, Edward and another wicket did not fall onto the score reached 287. Edward combined a rather inelegant-looking but sound defence with some fine attacking strokes and when he hit two balls out of the ground over long-on off Boucher he had reached his 50. At tea he was 80 and at 99 he failed to connect properly with a cover drive and he fell to a brilliant one-handed catch by Martin.

Meanwhile, Henderson, who earlier had been missed at the wicket, was combining a strong defence with beautiful drives. He, too, failed in his century bid, being bowled for 83 while attempting a big hit. The innings closed at 315 leaving Ireland requiring 256 to get for a win. The Irish fielding was very good and the bowlers stuck doggedly to their task so that Scotland had to work very hard for their highly commendable recovery.

Jacobson and Bergin scored 23 runs in the 40 remaining minutes. Continuing the next day the score was taken to 45 before Bergin, presenting a rather crooked bat, was bowled by Youngson. Ingram, Pollock and Caprani did not stay long. Warke helped to add 20 for the fifth wicket before he was out in the last over before lunch. The score at this stage was 93-5.

There was now 2½ hours to go, 165 runs to get and five wickets to fall. Martin came in and was quite imperturbable and he remained with Jacobson while a further 58 runs were added. He was finally out to a good leg-side catch by the wicket-keeper. 151-6-21. The rain now came on and made a win for Scotland improbable while the dour defence of Jacobson made it impossible for Scotland to win. Boucher came in in search of a win and scored 32 out of 55 runs added but at the end Ireland were 43 runs short of their objective and Jacobson was 101 not out. This was a very fine effort on the part of the Clontarf opening bat. He combined a rigid defence with bursts of the most attractive scoring strokes. He gave a difficult chance at 86 and his innings undoubtably saved his side from defeat.