England huff and puff in 48-run win over Ireland

Georgetown, Guyana, Mar 31 (UNI) Paul Collingwood's late charge made the difference as England huffed and puffed to beat debutants Ireland by 48 runs in their World Cup Super Eight match here.

Man of the Match Collingwood smashed 90 off 82 balls and help England muster 65 in last five overs as they posted 266 for seven after a superb bowling display by the Irish greenhorns made even 220 look a luxury for Michael Vaughan and Co at one stage .

Niall O' Brain hit a brilliant 63 to help Ireland overcame a poor start but the underdogs could score only 218 in reply before being bowled out in 48.1 overs.

Andrew Flintoff took four wickets for 43 while Monty Panesar scapled two for 31 in his ten overs.

The win gave England their first two points in Super Eights while the Irishmen, who knocked out Pakistan en route to Round Two, are yet to open their account.

Earlier, Collingwood helped an uncertain England overcome initial hiccups to score 266 for seven against the giant killers Ireland after Michael Vaughan won the toss and decided to bat.

England blazed in the slog overs after painstakingly building their innings against some disciplined bowling from Ireland.

Collingwood missing a well-deserved century while no other batsman was convincing enough as Ireland managed to keep their big brothers under pressure throughout the day.

England had no less than four promising partnerships but none of them were allowed to flourish. England got the first jolt in the second over itself as they lost Dublin-born Ed Joyce (1). The former Irish player, who moved to England, did not know much of the very first delivery of Boyd Rankin, which uprooted his off stump.

Rankin then removed skipper Michael Vaughan (6) and both the England openers were back in the hut inside six overs with the scoreboard reading 23.

However, England relied on the experience of Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen as pushed the scoreboard slowly but surely. Pietersen, the No. one ODI batmen, was uncharacteristically restrained and was determined to build on the England innings rather than going flat out.

Later, he started breaking the shackle the Irish were putting in.

As he broke free with a couple of cover drives, Ian Bell too joined in.

The duo added 66 runs for the third wicket when Bell departed for 31 edging Kevin O'Brien to Niall O'Brien behind the wicket.

England's hundred came in 24th over and it was Pieterson looked to go over the top. The batsman, however, couldn't survive for long and holed McCallan only to be pouched by Poeterfield. He made run-a-ball 48 with five boundaries.

Andrew Flintoff had a reputation to salvage after the night club episode. The allrounder, in company of Collingwood, began cautiously and both the batsmen took England to 194 when Freddie was castled Johnston 43.

But Collingwood carried on. His 50 came in 65 balls with five fours after which he cut loose. Next 40 just came in 17 deliveries as he hit three more fours and as many sixes.

He was out in the 50th over trying to steal a cheeky run. Nixon (19, 15b) and Ravinder Bopara (10, 5b) also chipped in late to give England a respectable total.

UNI