Scots fall to Irish in WCL final

However, coach Pete Steindl knows that when the wounds heal, his players will be able to reflect on a successful campaign. Scotland went into the tournament on the back of several poor showings against their closest ICC associate rivals, including a sixth placed finish at the World Cup qualifier last year.

To secure the runners-up spot was therefore a worthy achievement, performed with a largely inexperienced side. But in the wake of Saturday's six-wicket defeat at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen, Steindl admitted: "We are all still extremely disappointed because we felt we let ourselves down when we had an outstanding chance to win the tournament.

"But when I take time to reflect there will also be enormous satisfaction at the progress we have made here. We have gone from sixth to second in the space of 14 months and have found a group of players who have a willingness to work for each other and for the team.

"There has also been a lot of fight and character with the boys finding a way to get over the finishing line when they were up against it."

Sadly that attribute eluded them in the sweltering heat of Amstelveen on Saturday as Steindl's men went into the final having beaten Canada, Holland, Kenya and Afghanistan only to fall at the final hurdle.

Making matters worse, the defeat was largely self-inflicted, failing to take advantage of a 141-run opening stand between Fraser Watts and Preston Mommsen. Seven wickets fell for just 28 runs as players, more used to having their backs to the wall, looked uncertain how to cash in on their strong position.

Watts was out in the 49th over, having made 98 from 112 balls while Mommsen earlier reached his highest ODI score with a fluent 80. But the collapse meant Scotland had to make do with 232 when 280 had been their target.

They showed their tenacity by claiming three early Irish wickets but Andrew White (79) and man-of-the-match Kevin O'Brien (98no) dashed Scotland's hopes.

Steindl paid tribute to Watts who reclaimed his place in the side two games into this tournament following injury to Gregor Maiden and responded with scores of 50, 46 and 98 in his last three matches.

The coach added: "Fraser has had to wait a long time just to get his chance again and, in fairness, he has done really well. We have spoken about the need for consistency and he has given us that in the last few games."

The Scots have a week's break before facing an even stiffer test when Bangladesh, conquerors of England on Saturday, arrive in Glasgow for a one-off ODI at Titwood.