For Ireland, there were spells of sunshine that broke through the gloom. Even with her team reduced to 25/3, Orla Prendergast took the attack to England. She struck two fours off Ecclestone, starting with a late cut past backward point, in the sixth over to give them a boost.
The budding innings, however, was cut short for 26 off 18, with four fours.
Later on, Louise Little made sure Ireland finished on a high. She hit four fours of Lauren Bell in the final over, including a flick through backward square leg on the last ball, to garner 17 runs. It was Ireland’s best over of the innings and took them to 118/9.