England 99-2 Spinners Stephen Randall and Christopher Schofield claimed seven wickets between them to dismiss Canada for just 95 and then openers Graham Napier and captain Robert Key led the run chase as England retained their title in the International Youth Tournament at White Hill Field yesterday.

On the same field where they tied with Holland in midweek, England were at their awesome best after Canada won the toss and decided to bat first.

Napier dominated an opening stand of 52 in just 38 minutes, scoring 40 from six fours off 33 balls.

England had 25 on the board after just two overs, of which Napier had 22, and the 50 came up in the seventh over with Napier playing some delightful attacking shots.

At Napier's departure in the eighth over, Key, who already has a full time contract with Kent, took control to complete the victory before 3.00 p.m. in just 19.2 overs. He faced 54 balls and hit just three boundaries. Manzoor Chaudhary was the most successful of the Canada bowlers, taking both wickets for 22 runs from seven overs.

After an opening stand of 34 in 12 overs, Canada were moving along to 55-2 in the 16th over when England took control by claiming three wickets for six runs as Randall enjoyed a decisive spell.

The win enabled England to finish top of the seven-team round robin group with five wins and a tie from their six matches. The day before they beat Scotland by 45 runs in a low scoring game at Nationals to move into first place in the standings and eliminate Scotland from contention.

Napier was again in outstanding form, smashing 45 in just 27 minutes with four fours and three sixes as he and Key added 54 for the first wicket in six overs.

Wickets fell regularly after that as Scotland soon had them 112 for seven with captain John Blain and Ross Mitchinson both picking up three wickets. Scotland never recovered from a bad start, a combination of some tight England bowling and a couple of questionable umpiring decisions, as they were 29-7 after 16 overs.

Euan Stubbs (20) Mitchinson (12) carried the fight in the tailend with a stand of 37 for the eighth wicket but it was all over for Scotland when Stubbs was bowled by Joe Tucker.

Scotland finished third in the standings but still qualified for the World Cup next year.

England manager/coach John Abrahams was pleased with England's achievement, considering the bulk of the squad were under 17.

"Obviously it has gone well, we won the tournament two years ago in Holland and we came here to defend it,'' said Abrahams who was with the team along with coach Geoff Arnold in Holland.

"We brought them (players) out, obviously, for some very competitive cricket in different conditions which has helped the learning process and it is also part of our preparation for the 1998 Under-19s World Cup in South Africa.'' Ireland 247 Denmark 204 Ed Joyce, the most promising young player in Ireland over the last two years, showed his enormous potential by smashing the only century in the tournament at Southampton Oval yesterday as Ireland finished second to qualify for the World Youth Cup next year.

Joyce, who scored 47 against Holland on Saturday in a nine-run victory, hit 105 from 13 fours in 165 minutes as Ireland reached 247 in 49.4 overs.

Pakistan-born Omer Farooq took three for 28 in 10 overs and Amjad Khan three for 42 to lead the Denmark bowling.

Farooq then replied with a brisk 55 but Dwayne MeGerrigle and Simon Harrison, who shared the new ball, came back for second spells and each finished with three wickets as Denmark fell short of their target.

CENTURY MAKER -- Ed Joyce of Ireland had plenty to smile about after yesterday scoring the only century of the tournament (105) against Denmark.

Photos by Athur Bean KEY TO SUCCESS -- Jubilant England players celebrate the successful defence of their International Youth Tournament title by holding aloft captain Robert Key after yesterday's win over Canada at White Hill Field.