Ireland Women finally had their World Cup moment as they claimed a first T20 World Cup victory with a famous six-wicket win over West Indies in Bristol.

After 21 defeats across five tournaments and 12 long years of waiting, Ireland broke their duck in style, chasing down 129 with 11 balls to spare against a West Indies side who had arrived knowing victory would seal a semi-final place.

Instead, it was Gaby Lewis’s team who produced the performance of the day, restricting the Caribbean side to 128 for 7 before Orla Prendergast’s superb 63 from 44 balls carried Ireland to 129 for 4 in 18.1 overs.

“Winning just means so much,” said Prendergast, who was named player of the match. “We have had the belief throughout but it had not come together just yet. Just so much relief to have that win and so much happiness.”

Ireland’s bowlers set the tone on a sticky surface. West Indies never found sustained rhythm, with Cara Murray returning 2 for 13 and Aimee Maguire 2 for 22 in a disciplined display. Captain Hayley Matthews made 22 and Deandra Dottin 21, but neither could break free, while Chinelle Henry’s unbeaten 27 gave the innings some late momentum.

Matthews admitted West Indies had fallen short. “It’s really disappointing,” she said. “We had a chaseable total, but we just weren’t able to keep the scoreboard moving. Ireland kept the stumps in play really well and Orla Prendergast controlled the chase brilliantly.”

Ireland’s reply was built around calmness rather than chaos. Amy Hunter made a composed 28 and shared a crucial 62-run stand with Prendergast, who reached her half-century from 36 balls. Even when Prendergast was caught at deep square-leg in the 16th over, Ireland had the finish line firmly in sight.

Rebecca Stokell, unbeaten on 16, and Louise Little completed the job, Little striking the winning boundary over mid-on to spark emotional celebrations.

The result also complicated the semi-final picture, leaving West Indies waiting on England’s later result against New Zealand before their place in the last four was confirmed.

For Ireland, though, the wider permutations mattered little. This was about history, belief and release. After years of near-misses and heavy defeats on the biggest stage, Ireland Women finally had a World Cup win to call their own.