IN a remarkable reversal of Wednesday's form, Ireland defeated tournament favourites England by seven wickets at Pontardulais yesterday to capture the Triple Crown trophy on a superior overall run rate.

Justin Benson won the toss and sent in a jaded looking English side. Mark Patterson rewarded him with a lively opening spell that had them reeling at 27 for 4. Jon Robinson and David Snellgrove halted the slide until Robinson's run out in the 23rd over proved to be a turning point.

Then, when Snellgrove had to retire with a dislocated finger, the English innings had lost its impetus and the tail failed to cope with the Irish spinners.

Unaware of the precise requirements to win the tournament outright, Decker Curry and Andy Patterson scored quickly from the start. For once Curry was out paced by the assured Cliftonville youngster.

They had posted 61 from 10 overs when Patterson was worked, but Benson produced one of his more responsible innings to bring his team home in style with 20 overs to spare.