England Champions again but fighting Irish ran them close.
England retained the title in the Senior Ladies’ Home Internationals on a very wet afternoon at Tramore Golf Club in Ireland. But what an exciting finish it was to the weather-hit three-day programme.
After England and Ireland had completed Day 2 wins this morning over Scotland and Wales respectively, it meant that the England v Ireland match between the only two teams with 100 per cent winning records would be the title decider.
It went right down to the wire before England prevailed 4-3 with the last putt on the last green in the last match to finish.
Wales started well in the match for third place against Scotland. Christine Harries won by 5 and 4 against Heather Anderson in the lead-off singles, having been one up at the turn before adding to that with unanswered successes at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th.
But Lorna Bennett chalked up an outstanding win for Scotland by beating Welsh ace Vicki Thomas by the comprehensive margin of 6 and 5. Lorna was five up after seven holes and never allowed her opponent a chance to get back into the match.
Scotland went 2-1 ahead when Karen Ballantyne beat Karen Weatherley by 5 and 4 after winning three of the first four holes and still leading by two at the turn. Ballantyne quickened to win the 11th, 13th and 14th.
Scotland advanced to 3-1 with a one-hole victory by Mary Smith over Denise Richards who was twice two up on the outward half. Smith played the inward nine impeccably. She won the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th and 18th
Wales got a second point on the board when Jane Rees beat Alex Glennie by 2 and 1 after winning four of the first six holes. Glennie had a good spell approaching the turn, winning the eighth, ninth and 10th but Rees pulled away again by winning the 11th and 13th.
Elaine Allison, Scotland’s most successful player of the week, got the clinching fourth point by beating Janet Doleman 3 and 2. Allison went two up at the 10th and added successes at the 13th and 16th for victory.
The last match to finish was halved between Wales’ Ann Lewis and Scotland’s May Hughes. Lewis had looked set for victory when she won the 11th and 12th to go three up but Hughes finished strongly to salvage half a point. She won the 13th, 14th and 16th to square the match and the last two holes were halved.
WALES 2 1/2, SCOTLAND 4 1/2
Singles only match
Harries beat Anderson 5 and 4
Thomas lost to Bennett 6 and 5.
Richards lost to Smith 1 hole
Rees beat Alex Glennie 2 and 1..
Karen Weatherley lost to Ballantyne 5 and 4.
Lewis halved with May Hughes.
Singles only match
Harries beat Anderson 5 and 4
Thomas lost to Bennett 6 and 5.
Richards lost to Smith 1 hole
Rees beat Alex Glennie 2 and 1..
Karen Weatherley lost to Ballantyne 5 and 4.
Lewis halved with May Hughes.
