Ananova:

Ireland know the task ahead as a combination of tight bowling and a tricky pitch prevented Surrey from setting the unbeatable target many predicted.

The former champions were restricted to 261 from 49.5 overs before a combination of rain and bad light forced proceedings into a second day on Thursday.

Jonathan Batty's mixed start to the season continued when local Clontarf all-rounder Trent Johnston caught the Surrey captain by surprise with a rapid delivery he edged to wicketkeeper Jonathan Bushe.

Fellow opener Alistair Brown put the visitors, last season's National League and Twenty20 champions, back on track with some trademark swashbuckling. He rattled off 10 boundaries, including four sixes, during a brief stay at the crease which was finally ended by Ireland's South African all-rounder Gerald Dros.

Surrey stuttered through their disrupted innings with the third-wicket stand of 48 between Mark Ramprakash and Adam Hollioake the best partnership they could muster.

Both fell to Cliftonville all-rounder Kyle McCallam, who caught and bowled an out-of-sorts Ramprakash on 34 and skittled an ominous looking Hollioake just moments after the Surrey man had recorded a run-a-ball half-century.

Andrew White's off-breaks kept Surrey's middle order on their toes with his figures of three for 43 the pick of the hosts' bowling figures.

	Check for more on: Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy Surrey Ireland Cricket

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