Ireland hold their nerve

Oliver Pitcher celebrates his spectacular catch that dismissed Niall O'Brien

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Ireland beat both the rain and Bermuda to win Group A and book a semi-final with Kenya.

A torrential downpour at 5.15pm interrupted the Ireland innings at 41 for four from eight overs. Play resumed two hours later with the match reduced to nine overs meaning the home side had just six more balls to face in which time they advanced to 43 for seven.

The total was then revised - Bermuda needed to score 46 to win but would only qualify for the semi-finals at Ireland's expense if they achieved victory in eight overs.

Ireland, no doubt feeling hard done by, got the perfect start when Chris Foggo top-edged an attempted hook off Peter Connell and was caught at fine leg.

Connell made it two wickets from the first three balls when he had David Hemp caught behind, much to the delight of the locals who stayed behind following the downpour.

Steven Outerbridge, who impressed against Scotland earlier in the day, looked capable of turning the tide back in Bermuda's favour but he became Connell's third victim as his side slipped to 14 for three.

With the evening closing in, Andre Botha struck with his third ball, luring James Celestine out of his crease for Niall O'Brien to whip off the bails.

After four overs Bermuda were 21 for four - still 25 short of the winning total but enough time to get them. The joker on the PA system who played 'All I Need Is A Miracle' by Mike & The Mechanics when a Bermuda batsman walked to the crease remained confident in a home win.

Those lyrics seemed appropriate, especially when Botha, who finished with 2-4, cleaned up Irving Romaine to reduce Bermuda to 25 for five in the sixth over. Oliver Pitcher was then run out for six during Alex Cusack's over.

It all came down to Johnston who bowled the critical eighth over and he did not disappoint, despite his fourth delivery being carted for six by George O'Brien. He got his revenge next ball but only after Connell's juggling act on the boundary.

Bermuda's bowling looked rather toothless earlier in the day against Scotland and they needed a wonderful catch to set them on their way against Ireland.

Gary Wilson makes his ground during Ireland's innings

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Niall O'Brien connected sweetly when attempting to drive Stefan Kelly but the opener could only stand in disbelief as Oliver Pitcher dived to his left at mid-off and took a stunning one-handed catch above his head.

Ireland were reduced to 16 for two when Kelly trapped home captain William Porterfield leg before, the only concern being whether the ball pitched outside leg stump.

George O'Brien, one of the fastest bowlers at the tournament, then took centre stage when he bowled Kevin O'Brien and the dangerous Andre Botha within the space of four balls as Ireland teetered at 23 for four. The speedster would eventually finish with a mightily impressive 2-13 from his four overs.

Ireland's plight was not helped when Andrew White had to retire hurt after being hit in the midriff by Kelly.

Then the rain came but Ireland's spirit could not be dampened.