Ireland's cricketers can take heart after a determined and encouraging performance against the MCC at Lurgan yesterday, the first day of the annual two-day fixture.

A fine undefeated century from Stephen Smyth, backed up by valuable batting contributions by Derek Heasley and Ted Williamson, and not one wide ball when the Irish took the field - who can ask for more? Well, maybe today MCC skipper Neil Trestrail and his men will pose more difficult questions, but Alan Rutherford's declaration and solid bowling and fielding left Ireland ahead by 68 first innings runs by close of play.

Trestrail won the toss and put Ireland in to bat, and looked to have made a wise decision when the first wicket - that of Kyle McCallan - fell with 29 runs on the board. But a few good stands followed, with Smyth, Heasley and Williamson to the fore.

Smyth batted for 189 minutes, faced 138 balls and smote 10 fours and one six in his unbeaten knock. Heasley's batting performance was most impressive, his 71 runs coming from 68 balls in 71 minutes. That's right, a run a minute.

Williamson's useful 35 was scored off 71 balls in 41 minutes. He was one of three new boys on the block, the others being Paul Mooney and Neil Anderson, the last-named winning his first cap on his home patch.

Mick Warden and David Lees were the MCC's most successful bowlers, picking up a brace of wickets apiece.

When Dean Hodgson and Richard Boon had put on 89 for the first wicket - Ireland having been exactly 60 runs behind at the equivalent stage - the signs were somewhat ominous. But smart fielding - typified by John Davy's pin-point throw to run out Boon - and tight bowling by Davy and Heasley left Ireland looking in control at close of play.