Scotland's veteran women's golfers lost their two-year grip on the Miller Stirling Trophy on the final day of the Veteran Ladies Golfing Association's area championship at Royal Cromer Golf Club, Norfolk.
After drawing their matches on the first two days, the Scots, skippered by Pat Hutton, needed to beat England South and hope that Midlands and North drew the other match.
It was not to be. South edged a 5-4 win over the Scots and North beat Midlands 8-1 to take the title.
"I couldn't have asked for a bigger effort from my team but I think they were just drained by their efforts in the European senior women's team championship last week. I don't think they had anything left to give in the final session," said Mrs Hutton.
The Scots won the morning foursomes 2 1/2-1/2 against South but lost the singles 4 1/2-1 1/2. Only Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) managed a 2 and 1 win while Heather Anderson (Downfield) secured a square game.
Details:
SCOTLAND 4, ENGLAND SOUTH 5
Foursomes: K Sutherland, F De Vries bt S Ellis, J Ballard 4 and 3, L Bennett, N Fenton bt C Caldwell, I Brien 3 and 2; P Williamson, H Faulds halved with J O'Keefe, R Watters (2 1/2-1/2).
Singles: Sutherland lost to Ellis 5 and 3, M Thomson lost to Brien 3 and 2, Anderson hlaved with O'Keefe, H Faulds lost to S Stradling 1 hole, Bennett bt P Butler 2 and 1, Fenton lost to C C Wheelhouse 5 and 3 (1 1/2-4 1/2).
Other match:
ENGLAND NORTH 8, ENGLAND MIDLANDS 1.
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report
