SCOTLAND took a big step towards qualification for the second phase of the ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with a comprehensive victory over Hong Kong.

A thoroughly competent all-round performance was spearheaded by a 100-ball innings of 67 by Aberdeenshire's Mike Smith and a much more controlled display of bowling.

Scotland got off to a poor start when both openers perished with only 17 on the board, Iain Philip caught behind and Douglas Lockhart picked up at mid-on.

But Smith led the recovery, playing with a fluency he had hitherto lacked on the tour. With skipper George Salmond giving him excellent support, the powerful right-hander unfurled his range of powerful shots.

On a slow, low wicket and with a very slow outfield, they added 82 for the third wicket, before Salmond edged medium-pacer Mohammed Zubair to the wicket-keeper.

Smith succumbed at 132 to a catch at long-off from a lofted drive but Greg Williamson, voted man of the match, made a brisk 27 andAlec Davies and Mike Allingham provided the final flourish with 36 in the last 18 balls.

Hong Kong's ``pinch-hitter'' Riaz Sarcy began by despatching John Blain for four but the teenager quickly uprooted his off-stump.

Blain then clean bowled Camran Raza and Steven Foster and, with Williamson claiming two wickets, Hong Kong subsided to 46 for five.

Patrick Fordham and Mark Eames put on 61 but spinner Keith Sheridan induced Fordham to give a catch to Philip at square leg and Stuart Kennedy cleaned up the tail, taking three for 15.

Ireland maintained their unbeaten record with a 10 wicket win over Israel. Off-spinner Neil Doak took four for 13 as Israel were dismissed for 89 and Ireland's openers, Desmond Curry (51) and Alan Lewis (26) then steered their side to victory in 18 overs.