BELFAST, Ireland (CMC):

West Indies emerged sole champions of the Quadrangular Series yesterday when Ireland did not get the result they needed in the final game against Scotland that would have given them a share of the title with the Caribbean side.

Ireland defeated Scotland by 23 runs at the Civil Service Cricket Club, but were unable to snatch the bonus points required to join West Indies at the top of the standings.

Electing to bat, Ireland scored 222 for seven off their 50 overs and they restricted Scotland to 199 all out in 49.3 overs for the victory.

Ireland needed to bowl out Scotland for 177 to claim the bonus points.

Niall O'Brien stroked a steady 72, with seven boundaries, to propel the home side's batting.

Andre Botha produced a fine all-round performance that began with 42 off 54 balls in Ireland's innings that got a solid late-order boost from captain Trent Johnston, who lashed 32 off 23 balls to bolster his team's batting effort.

Off-spinner Majid Haq picked up three for 59 to lead Scotland's bowling.

Watson led the way

When Scotland batted, their captain Ryan Watson led the way with 83, including six fours and one six.

Neil McCallum supported with 54 off 68 balls.

Botha was Ireland's chief wicket-taker with three for 27 off nine overs, his dismissal of Watson in the 45th over pivotal to the outcome of the match.

Andrew Cusack backed up Botha with two for 26.

The series closed out a tough summer tour for West Indies.

After being badly beaten by England in the Test series, they recovered to win the NatWest One-Day International Series against the Englishmen.

West Indies played unbeaten in this Quadrangular Series, whipping the Netherlands by 10 wickets last Tuesday before defeating Scotland by four wickets on Thursday.

Their game against Ireland on Saturday was rained out as a no-result.