Orla Prendergast struck a six and 11 fours in Edinburgh yesterday as her 75 not out helped Ireland cruise to an eight-wicket victory over Scotland with in the first of a three-match T20 series at The Grange.

Arlene Kelly was the star with the ball for the Girls in Green, claiming 2-12 from her four overs, while Eimear Richardson, Georgina Dempsey, Leah Paul and Laura Delany chipped in with a wicket each to restrict Scotland to 133-6.

Ireland lost opener Gaby Lewis to the seventh ball of the reply and Amy Hunter, who hit a four and a six in her 16, before the end of the powerplay but there were no further hiccups as Prendergast and Delany piled on an unbeaten 99.

Skipper Delany played the foil in their third-wicket stand, making 36 not out, but it was Prendergast who claimed Player-of-the-Match for a commanding 45-ball innings that secured the win with 3.4 overs to spare.