Ireland Women set up a deciding match in their first one-day international series against Scotland by winning the second game in Desert Springs by 79 runs.

In a much improved batting display, Orla Prendergast top scored after partnerships for the first three wickets of 60, 70 and 58 laid the foundations for a total of 270 for six with Leah Paul and Amy Hunter, at a run-a-ball, also hitting half centuries.

After Cara Murray struck with her third ball to reduce the Scots to 59 for three, a fourth wicket stand of 84 held up Ireland. but young Freya Sargent ended the stand by bowling Scottish skipper Kathryn Bryce and she did the same to Lorna Jack next ball.

Murray, giving the ball much more flight, was particularly impressive and deservedly picked up a second wicket but it was Ava Canning who took three of the last five to hurry Ireland to victory. The deciding match is tomorrow at 9.45am.

Desert Springs: Ireland Women 270-6 (O Prendergast 64, L Paul 58, A Hunter 54, L Delany 28 not out) Scotland Women 191 (37 overs, K Bryce 67, A Lister 47; A Canning 4-36, F Sargent 2-33, A Kelly 2-36, C Murray 2-37). Ireland won by 79 runs.