Despite an undefeated innings of 67 by Merrion's Ed Joyce, Ireland's under-19 cricketers lost by three wickets to Bangladesh at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, near Johannesburg yesterday to exit from the Plate League of the World Youth Cup. "Ed showed something of his true form, but we simply didn't score enough runs," said team manager Dessie McCall.

Apart from Joyce, the only others to reach double figures after Ireland had won the toss and elected to bat, were Simon Carruthers (28), David Finlay (15) and Keith Spellman (14). Simon Harrison took three for 47.