KENT ruined Ireland's World Cup home-coming in Belfast by securing a reasonably comfortable 58-run win in their second Friends Provident Trophy qualifier at the Civil Service Club in Stormont on Sunday.

The Spitfires made it three wins from as many starts against the Irish since they first met in 1995 five miles down the road from here in Comber, yet in the early stages it appeared Trent Johnston's Caribbean heroes might land another big scalp after reducing the visitors to 100 for six.

Spitfires recovered through a Joe Denly century and proceeded to roll over the hosts inside 44 overs for a disappointing 173 to win their opening game of the qualifying campaign with six overs to spare.

Robbie Joseph found good pace with the wind at his back to claim three for 50, Simon Cook was rewarded for steady line and length with three for 31, while Ryan McLaren got extra bounce from the City End to finish with two for 16, including the scalp of former Kent keeper Niall O'Brien for seven as only six Irish batsmen limped into double figures.

For the second Sunday running Kent's top-order batsmen were left wishing they had stayed at home as they were again rescued by a big eighth-wicket stand.

Last Sunday Spitfires had slumped to 52 for seven at the Brit Oval before eighth wicket partners Rob Key and James Tredwell saved face.

Tredwell again came to the party in Stormont, but this time it was Denly who played the lead role with a maiden trophy ton that helped the visitors reach a defendable 50-over total of 231 for seven.

The big names of Rob Key (16), Martin van Jaarsveld (11), Darren Stevens (12), Matt Walker (16) and Jones (12) had all been and gone, ensuring the onus lay firmly on the shoulders of 21-year-old Denly.

He and Tredwell added 99 in the final 10 overs of the innings that included 60 from the last four as Denly raced to his second 50 in only 19 balls.

Understandably subdued after his side's poor start, Denly took 72 balls to reach his opening half-century, but the right-hander from Whitstable went on to clatter five sixes, including four in one over from off-spinner Andrew White, as Ireland's attack crumpled under the late pressure.

Even Andre Botha, whose first eight overs cost only 18, succumbed in leaking 14 runs in his final over before being taken out of the attack as Denly and Kent put a dampner on Ireland's return to Stormont.

Scores: Kent 231-seven after 50 overs. Ireland 173 all out after 43.5 overs. Kent (2points)win by 58 runs.