The setting was different and many of the players changed but the script was a familiar one at Linlithgow yesterday as Scotland beat Ireland by five wickets to claim third place in the European championship.

Scotland captain, Lord Salmond, has now led his side to a treble of third-place wins over the Irish and Angus Dunlop, the only survivor of the ICC Trophy defeat in 1997, must be thoroughly dejected.

A repeat of the European standings of two years ago in The Hague looked a formality as no Ireland batsman could assert himself against a disciplined attack.

Kyle McCallan chanced his arm more than once with shots through and over the offside until his luck ran out when a leading edge was held by bowler Greig Willliamson. Dominic Joyce was slow to get into his stride but then showed some delightful touches before he was unlucky to be stumped for 37 - his foot did not appear to leave the ground.

At least Dunlop went bravely holing out to deep mid-wicket and Paul Mooney showed a bit of passion in a flare-up with James Brinkley. But overall the fire was missing as Ireland posted 183 for 9, a good 30 runs below par.

Scotland even gave their rivals a two-wicket start as opener Dougie Lockhart stopped for a mid-pitch debate and was run out in the second over and Colin Smith followed quickly, lbw to Mooney .

That brought left-hander Drew Parsons to the crease and he quickly put the matter beyond doubt with a thumping 70, including a six and 11 fours, either side of a one-hour break for rain.

The umpires decided Scotland should now chase 176 from two fewer overs. After Parsons had become Mooney's third victim, Williamson was equally punishing and his 58 not out brought victory with nearly nine overs to spare.

Ireland coach Ken Rutherford can take some comfort from the performance of all rounder Andrew White, and fourth place is no better or worse than he would have expected.