Ireland Women secured the multi-format Celtic Challenge with a seven-wicket victory over Scotland in the first T20 international in Desert Springs, Spain.
Set a target of 92, Ireland comfortably chased down that total inside 17 overs, Gaby Lewis striking a fine half-century to help her side to an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
For Scotland, Darcey Carter provided stern resistance as she fell just five runs short of a second T20 international half-century, but could only watch on as partners came and went with regularity.
The Saltires lost both Priyanaz Chatterji and Kathryn Bryce early on to the bowling of Alana Dalzell, although Carter looked to take the attack to the Ireland, striking a huge blow over mid-wicket for six.
After adding 19 with Carter for the third wicket, Sarah Bryce would fall in unfortunate fashion, run out, to leave Scotland 35-3.
Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister and Ellen Watson would all fall cheaply, before Megan McColl joined Carter in the middle as the pair began to rebuild the innings.
They added 31 in what was the most substantial partnership Scotland could muster, McColl particularly strong on the paddle against the spinners as she struck a useful 19 from 16 deliveries.
However, her departure, caught by Orla Prendergast off the bowling of Georgina Dempsey, with the total on 87, sparked a collapse of four wickets for just four runs, as Scotland were bowled out for 91.
Carter was the ninth batter out, falling for a fine 45 to Laura Delany as the ball richoceted off her pads and onto the stumps.
In reply, Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis began to lay a a platform for their pursuit of 92, before Olivia Bell struck in the fifth over to remove Hunter, who miscued to Kathryn Bryce at mid-on.
Bell would strike again in her next over, turning a superb delivery past the outside edge of the advancing Orla Prendergast who was clean bowled for just one.
Captain Laura Delany and Lewis averted any threat of a collapse, adding 62 for the third wicket by playing low-risk cricket, with Lewis the more aggressive of the pair as she struck seven boundaries in her better than run-a-ball 50.
Priyanaz Chatterji, who along with Sarah Bryce received her 100th Scotland cap before the game, struck to remove Delany with the scores level, trapping the Irish batter on the crease with a hooping in-swinger.
The job would be left to Lewis to strike the winning runs, and seal the series win for Ireland.
The second T20, and final game of the series, takes place on Tuesday at 1300.
