WHEN Ireland's twelfth man, Angus Dunlop, waved a large banknote

towards those on the square at Hamilton Crescent, promising drinks if

Stephen Smyth was given a bowl, it confirmed that no-one was taking

things seriously.

Smyth did turn his arm over. After all, when did an Irishman ever

refuse a drink. But his was the last over of what was an unexciting draw

played out between Scotland and Ireland.

That outcome was on from early yesterday when Scotland failed to make

inroads into the Irish middle order.

Resuming on 60 for three -- having been awarded what would prove to be

a very significant extra run overnight -- the Irish pairing of Alan

Lewis and Garfield Harrison steered their team to safety.

By mid-afternoon, against a Scots attack giving runs away to force a

declaration, the Irish were safe.

Lewis and Harrison opted for glory rather than declare early. Skipper

Lewis was first to his ton, his two 6s and fifteen 4s taking him to an

unbeaten 113, while Harrison hit two fewer boundaries in his 105 not

out.

They trooped off at 281 for three, believing their partnership to be a

new Irish record. Sadly, that run added to the revised overnight total

meant that their 224 had only equalled the previous best.

Either way, Scotland were set 319 to win at five and a half an over, a

less than generous target that they quickly gave up after losing Iain

Philip and Bruce Patterson.

At stumps in this annual three-day match, which to remain healthy must

be increased by an extra day next season, Scotland skipper Alistair

Storie remained 64 not out, having been on the field for every ball of

the match.

Whether he's able to do the same when Scotland play Lancashire a week

today, remains to be seen.

Scoreboard:

IRELAND -- First Innings 316 for five decl.

Second Innings

S J S Warke c Orr b Richardson 13

M P Rea b Sheridan 27

D A Lewis not out113

N G Doak b Richardson 4

G D Harrison not out105

Extras 19. Total (for 3 decl)281

SCOTLAND -- First Innings 279 for two decl.

Second Innings

A C Storie not out 64

I L Philip c Doak b Cooke 10

B M W Patterson b Graham 22

G B J McGurk run out 34

G Salmond not out 28

Extras 11. Total (for 3)169