After a slight hiccup (Gibraltar were 92 for 3 and Ireland 55 for 3 chasing Gibraltar's 136 for 9) this was an easy win. Once again rain caused the match to be a two-day affair. Play could not start until 2.00 p.m. on the 1st day - the pitch was very wet at one end and covering was defective. This allowed only a 156 minute session wherein Gibraltar, sent in, scored 116 for 5 in 43 overs. The next day was fine, but an hour was lost waiting for the pitch to dry. Ireland won by 6 wickets at 2.37 p.m. after an 11.00 a.m. start. Gibraltar had lost their first 2 matches easily. There are only 5 clubs from which to select their squad. The Buzaglo brothers were sons of Joe who is Chairman of I.C.C. Associate Members. Tim scored an F.A. Cup hat trick for Woking in 1992/'93 in the non-league club's defeat of West Bromwich Albion.
The Irish squad at the 1994 ICC Trophy
Ireland played the same team as -v- PNG. The pitch was flat but very slow when P McCrum and Harrison took the new ball. Kenny was caught at silly point off bat and pad in Harrison's 2nd over. P McCrum bowled Phillips in the 9th over. Then R Buzaglo and De'ath added 58 very slowly (23 overs). During this stand there were 6 byes (one + 5 for hitting the helmet behind the wicket-keeper) and Jackson had to retire at 48 for 2 after 22 overs - his back was injured. Benson took over as wicket-keeper and Graham fielded. There was a lot of playing and missing but R Buzaglo hit Nelson for 6 over extra cover. Harrison bowled his 10 overs for 17 and Hoey, at 1st change, his 10 overs for 17 runs but no wicket. C.McCrum was the 5th bowler at 78 for 2, for the 32nd over. He clean bowled three victims in 5 overs for 13 runs. De'ath (18) went at 79, R Buzaglo (42 in 97 balls) at 92 and Shephard (4) at 96. The last 3 overs before rain were bowled by Curry (2) and Nelson (one), and the score advanced to 113 for 5 in 43 overs. All day chances just did not go to hand.
Next day Gibraltar added 20 runs in the remaining 7 overs and finished at 136 for 9. Both Captains wanted to play despite a suspect pitch. At 120 Perez was run out attempting a 2nd run after a misfield at cover by Hoey. In the same over Nelson bowled Brooks on a no-ball. In his next over (48th) Nelson had T Buzaglo well held at square leg by Graham above head height. Next over C McCrum bowled his 4th victim and finished with 4 for 16 in 8 overs which won him the Man-of-the-Match award. The 9th wicket fell in the last over when Hewitt, the non-striker, was run out on a Nelson no ball.
The pitch was soft, two paced and of varying bounce. Benson was out in the 11th over on one that kept low. Rea followed in the next over top edging a pull. At 55 C McCrum failed to get over a cut in the 19th over. Lewis and Harrison brought up 100 in the 30th over after Harrison (4) had been dropped at deep square leg at 97. This, just after completing 2000 runs to add to his 100 wickets for Ireland. At lunch (31 overs) the score was 104 for 3. Seven overs later it was over. Lewis hit 2 sixes and 2 fours in his 44 and was out unluckily at 124. He was caught at mid-on when the bowler deflected a fierce drive. Dunlop hit a 6 off his first ball.