Gaby Lewis saw her realistic hopes of a consolation win against the West Indies disappear in the space of four balls in Co Tyrone yesterday as Ireland ended the first of eight World Cup qualifying series with no points.

Skipper Lewis, who made a solid 50 from 59 balls, including back-to-back sixes, had added 71 with in-form Amy Hunter and the Girls in Green were sitting pretty on 81-1 at the first drinks break, in reply to the visitors 257 all out.

An over later at the Bready club the odds had swung dramatically as first Lewis pulled a long hop to deep mid-wicket and then Hunter was caught at slip for 30 aiming a flick into the leg side.

To make matters worse, Orla Prendergast was harshly given caught behind for eight when the ball clearly brushed her thigh pad, and despite a lively 32 from Leah Paul the chase ended well short on 193 to give the West Indies a 64-run win.

“We had a really good start but fell off the wagon a bit in the middle,” Lewis said.

“Even so, we felt confident we could chase that total.

“In this series we’ve shown in parts that we can compete but it’s just doing it over a longer period, and being mentally tough through the 50 overs.”

The third one-day international had begun well for Ireland with nemesis Hayley Matthews caught behind off Prendergast for six, Jane Maguire taking her first wicket of the series, and a couple of run outs and a lucky stumping reducing the West Indies to 82-5.

Stefanie Taylor proved immovable, though, and completed her second century in consecutive matches before she was run out for 105 from 113 balls off the final ball of the 50 overs.