Peter Connell claimed a 10-wicket haul for the Irish

Peter Connell's hat-trick wrapped up Ireland's victory by an innings and 67 runs in the InterContinental Cup match against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.

After being skittled out for 127 in their first innings in reply to 400-6, the Dutch started at 49-3 on Saturday and were eventually bowled out for 206.

The superb Connell finished with figures of 6-28 which gave him a 10-wicket haul in the four-day contest.

Andre Botha's two wickets added to his magnificent innings of 172.

Only Peter Borren (53) and Mudassar Bukhari (59 not out) put up any significant resistance as the Dutch lost two early wickets on Saturday to slide to 54-5.

Fifty partnerships from Borren and Maurits Jonkman and Bukhari and Borren briefly boosted slim Dutch hopes of avoiding defeat.

But Jonkman and Borren departed to leave the home side on 158-7 and while Bukhari and captain Jeroen Smits put on 48 for the eighth wicket, Connell then dismissed the skipper in a crucial blow.

Connell claimed his hat-trick by sending Pieter Seelaar and Edgar Schiferli to the pavilion which wrapped up the holders' emphatic victory.

Ireland are the defending InterContinental Cup champions having beaten Canada in last year's final in Leicester.

Two-times defending champions, Ireland look to be shaping up for a battle with Kenya for the remaining final spot with Namibia well clear at the head of affairs after five straight wins.