A record partnership between Sean Ervine and Michael Carberry helped Hampshire claim a convincing 77-run win over Ireland in their Friends Provident Trophy clash at the Rose Bowl.

The left-handed pair both struck impressive centuries in an unbroken stand of 260, a limited-overs county best for the third wicket, as Hampshire made 316 for two.

Ervine bludgeoned his way to an unbeaten 167 from 140 balls - the highest one-day score by a batsman at the Rose Bowl - and Carberry contributed an unbeaten 121 at almost a run a ball.

Ireland could only reach 239 for nine in their 50 overs, despite 94 off 75 balls from Kevin O'Brien.

The home side started poorly in overcast conditions with opener Michael Lumb falling to the third ball of the day and former England star John Crawley struggling to get Ireland's opening bowlers Peter Connell and O'Brien off the square.

However, after Crawley perished to a weak flick to mid-wicket, Carberry and Ervine combined in a partnership characterised by structured hitting to take the game away from Ireland.

After a ponderous start, during which both batsmen were content to accumulate easy runs, the pair combined in explosive fashion clubbing a pedestrian Irish attack to all corners and setting the stage for an emphatic Hampshire win.

With the Rose Bowl floodlights yet to be called into action an early finish seemed probable and Ireland's reply began in disastrous fashion, a fiery opening spell from Hampshire's veteran seamer Dominic Cork reducing the visitors to 65 for four.

Cork rolled back the years with a seven-over burst in which he took for four for 17 and found pace and bounce in the flat track which appeared to offer little assistance to any other bowler.

However as Hampshire minds drifted towards thoughts of an early finish, O'Brien, who is set for a trial with Nottinghamshire, produced an innings of the highest quality to frustrate the home side.

Talented all-rounder O'Brien exacted some revenge for his earlier treatment at the hands of Hampshire's batsmen by smashing a brilliant 94 before holing out to Lumb in the deep off the bowling of leg-spinner Imran Tahir.

His departure signalled the end of Ireland's hopes as captain Dimitri Mascarenhas and leg-spinner Tahir combined impressively to end the Irish charge with a brace of wickets apiece.

The win leaves Ireland rooted to the bottom of Group A and boosts Hampshire's chances of progressing to the knockout stages with one group match left to play.