WORCESTERSHIRE Academy went down by six wickets to Ireland under 19s despite another sizeable contribution with the bat by Dan Holland in the 50-over clash at Kidderminster.

Holland scored a century last week for Worcestershire under 17s in the ECB County Championship match with Somerset at Bath plus a fifty in the second innings.

He continued in the same vein by hitting 76 against the Irish after the academy opted to bat first.

Holland came to the wicket at 56-3 and struck 76 off 100 deliveries with seven boundaries before he was seventh out at 211.

He added 103 for the seventh wicket with Aaron Tomson (42) to ensure the County posted a respectable total after being on 108-6 at one stage.

Alex Hinkley (45) and Charlie Clist (24), a century-maker in the two-day game with Ireland at Stourbridge, had earlier put on 47 for the third wicket after the hosts lost both their openers for ducks.

A late bit of momentum was provided by Ed Bragg’s 21 off 15 balls with four fours as the County were bowled out for 251 in 49.2 overs.

Riecko Parker-Cole shared the new ball and made two early breakthroughs for the academy.

But their victory hopes were dashed by Alex Stiles who remained unbeaten on 137 from 123 balls with two sixes and 21 fours.

He added 63 for the third wicket with Neil Rock, 78 for the fourth and an unbroken 84 for the fifth as Ireland reached their target with eight overs to spare.

Parker Cole ended with 2-27 and there was a wicket apiece for Tomson and Holland.