WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS
Scotland slay the Welsh Golf Dragon
and Irish hammer England 8-1
Scotland gained a measure of belated revenge over Wales by beating them 6 ½-2 ½ on the opening day of the Women’s Home Internationals at sunny Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff today
Twelve months ago at Irvine GC, Scotland had the title almost in their grasp and then slumped over the last hour’s play to lose 6-3 to Wales who thus were crowned champions for the second year in a row.
This time round there was no mistake. After sharing the foursomes, the Scots slew the Welsh Dragon by winning five of the six singles.
Lesley Nicholson, who was also Scotland’s skipper last year, said: “It’s a great start. I’m very pleased. There were a lot of very good performances by individual Scots out there but the overall team effort was first-class as well.
“But there are still two days to go and England and Ireland still to be beaten.”
England were thrashed 8-1 by Ireland – who did not win a match at Irvine, but now they have three Curtis Cup players – Danielle McVeigh and the 15-year-old Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, in their line-up which they think will win them the title for the first time since 2004.
Ireland won the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 6-0.
The Wales-Scotland foursomes were shared at 1 1/2pt each which meant it was all to play for in the singles.
Scottish champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) put her side ahead overall quite early in the afternoon with a surprisingly big 6 and 5 win over Amy Boulden. It was a performance of quality by the Stirling student who, like Boulden, was unlucky not to make the GB and I Curtis Cup team.
Scotland went 2pt ahead overall when Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), who did play in the Curtis Cup match won on the 18th green against Gemma Bradbury who had the better of the outward half and was two up at one stage.
Wales got their first singles point from the sixth tie with Becky Harries beating Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 4 and 3.
Teenage Scottish debutante Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) ensured that her side would gain at least a draw when she beat Sam Birks by 3 and 2.
Alford’s Laura Murray clinched victory for Scotland with a two-hole win over Welsh champion Tara Davies.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) put the icing on the cake for Scotland by beating Kath O’Connor 2 and 1 after being two down at the turn. The Scot won the 12th and the 13th with birdies and they halved the short 16th in birdie 2s before Briggs produced yet another birdie at the 17th for victory.
Scotland play England on Thursday and Ireland on Friday in what should be the title decider … but let’s not tempt fate.
FOR A FULLER DESCRIPTION OF ALL OF TODAY'S MATCHES
LOG ON TO THE LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE: www.lgu.org
and Irish hammer England 8-1
Scotland gained a measure of belated revenge over Wales by beating them 6 ½-2 ½ on the opening day of the Women’s Home Internationals at sunny Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff today
Twelve months ago at Irvine GC, Scotland had the title almost in their grasp and then slumped over the last hour’s play to lose 6-3 to Wales who thus were crowned champions for the second year in a row.
This time round there was no mistake. After sharing the foursomes, the Scots slew the Welsh Dragon by winning five of the six singles.
Lesley Nicholson, who was also Scotland’s skipper last year, said: “It’s a great start. I’m very pleased. There were a lot of very good performances by individual Scots out there but the overall team effort was first-class as well.
“But there are still two days to go and England and Ireland still to be beaten.”
England were thrashed 8-1 by Ireland – who did not win a match at Irvine, but now they have three Curtis Cup players – Danielle McVeigh and the 15-year-old Maguire twins, Lisa and Leona, in their line-up which they think will win them the title for the first time since 2004.
Ireland won the foursomes 2-1 and the singles 6-0.
The Wales-Scotland foursomes were shared at 1 1/2pt each which meant it was all to play for in the singles.
Scottish champion Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) put her side ahead overall quite early in the afternoon with a surprisingly big 6 and 5 win over Amy Boulden. It was a performance of quality by the Stirling student who, like Boulden, was unlucky not to make the GB and I Curtis Cup team.
Scotland went 2pt ahead overall when Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), who did play in the Curtis Cup match won on the 18th green against Gemma Bradbury who had the better of the outward half and was two up at one stage.
Wales got their first singles point from the sixth tie with Becky Harries beating Louise Kenney (Pitreavie) 4 and 3.
Teenage Scottish debutante Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) ensured that her side would gain at least a draw when she beat Sam Birks by 3 and 2.
Alford’s Laura Murray clinched victory for Scotland with a two-hole win over Welsh champion Tara Davies.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm) put the icing on the cake for Scotland by beating Kath O’Connor 2 and 1 after being two down at the turn. The Scot won the 12th and the 13th with birdies and they halved the short 16th in birdie 2s before Briggs produced yet another birdie at the 17th for victory.
Scotland play England on Thursday and Ireland on Friday in what should be the title decider … but let’s not tempt fate.
FOR A FULLER DESCRIPTION OF ALL OF TODAY'S MATCHES
LOG ON TO THE LADIES GOLF UNION WEBSITE: www.lgu.org
Labels: Amateur Ladies
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | 6:46:00 pm
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