Nairobi — Kenya's vice captain, Jimmy Kamande, spearheaded his team's fight back against Ireland with half a century in the International Cricket Council Intercontinental Cup in Dublin, on Sunday.

Kenya (331 all out) trailed Ireland (404 all out & 47 for 2) by 120 runs before the game was interrupted by rainfall and had not resumed by press time.

Kamande was Kenya's highest runs getter with 73 off 116 balls with seven fours. He put on a sixth wicket partnership of 108 with Morris Ouma (52) which was the best stand for the side.

Kenya had a bad start. Their dependable opening batsman Kennedy Obuya's lost his wicket cheaply to Johnston for 8 and his partner Seren Waters (26) followed him to the pavilion soon after and even before he had taken off his pads, they were joined by Steve Tikolo (1) who was clean bowled by Andrew White.

Ouma who is playing his first game as a captain batted cautiously at number five. He previously opened batting for the side. The other batsmen who contributed meaningful runs were David Obuya (64) and Thomas Odoyo (44).

Ireland's main wicket takers were Regan West with four for 94 and Trent Johnston (2-39).

Ireland started their second innings on a sour note losing both their openers cheaply when former skipper, Steve Tikolo clean bowled Paul Stirling for 6 and got Jeremy Bray caught by Kamande for 15.

Tikolo struck early yesterday with what has proved to be a lethal off spin. In Ireland's first innings, he claimed six wickets for 80 which was his best bowling performance in first class matches. Five of those wickets fell one after the other.

His victims included Andre Botha (26), Kevin O'Brien (0), Andrew White (3) Gary Wilson (11) and Alex Cusack (63).