SCOTLAND SCORE RESOUNDING VICTORY OVER ENGLAND

SGU MEDIA RELEASE

A superb performance in the afternoon singles gave Scotland a resounding victory over England to claim their first ‘Auld Enemy’ success since 2008 in the Home Internationals at Glasgow Gailes.

 

The Scots bounced back from the disappointment of an agonising 8 -7 defeat to Ireland after play resumed early this morning to record a thumping 10.5 – 4.5 win over England, as Scott Knowles’ men gave themselves a fighting chance lifting the Raymond Trophy tomorrow.

 

Graeme Robertson once again led from the front, partnering Jack McDonald to a 2 and 1 foursomes victory before maintaining his 100% record with a hard fought one-hole win over English number one Neil Raymond.

 

Kirkhill’s Paul Shields stretched the Scots lead with a comfortable 3 and 2 win success Callum Shinkwin, before McDonald fought back from three down after six to notch an impressive final green victory over Garrick Porteous.

 

Scottish Amateur Champion Grant Forrest and Scott Borrowman both lost their ties, but Baberton’s Paul Ferrier took the scalp of English champion Harry Ellis in fine style, by a 5 and 4 margin.

 

It was left to debutant Ross Bell to clinch the winning point as he overcame Seb Crookall-Nixon 2 and 1 to put the home side out of sight. Scotland’s tail continued to wag as Brian Soutar came from behind to beat Jordan Smith by one hole before fellow Fifer James White edged out Joshua White 2 and 1 to put the icing on the victory cake, adding to Matt Clark’s halved match with Jack Hiluta.

 

A jubilant Bell said: “It’s fantastic to hole the winning putt against England and very special on my debut. The boys are buzzing and it’s been a real team effort out there today. I didn’t know the match situation until I overhead a spectator coming up the 17^th fairway, but I managed to stay focused although I was a wee bit nervous when I had to roll in a 3-footer for the winning par.

 

“I was disappointed to lose my foursomes this morning with Matt (Clark) but Ian Rae calmed me down and we stuck to our game plan in the singles. My dad was great on the bag and I played some nice golf to win.”

 

Team captain Scott Knowles was pleased with his team’s response after the morning setback: “The boys have played brilliantly today and it was a really high standard of golf. After losing narrowly to Ireland, the main thing was to get as many points on the board as possible which we’ve achieved and we’ve given ourselves a chance to win again.

 

“We’ll need England to do us a favour against Ireland tomorrow but first and foremost we’re focused on our own job of beating Wales, which will be a very tough match.

 

Scotland Results – Day Two

 

Foursomes

G Robertson & J McDonald bt N Raymond & G Porteous 2/1

P Shields & G Forrest lost to N Kimsey & C Shinkwin 2/1

F McKenna & P Ferrier bt J Smith & J Rutherford 1 hole

R Bell & M Clark bt H Ellis & J Hiluta 4/3

B Soutar & J White bt J White & B Stow 5/3

Result of Foursomes: Scotland 3 – 2 England

 

Singles

G Robertson bt N Raymond 1 hole

P Shields bt C Shinkwin 3/2

J McDonald vt G Porteous 1 hole

S Borrowman lost to N Kimsey 2/1

G Forrest lost to J Rutherford 2 holes

P Ferrier bt H Ellis 5/4

R Bell bt S Crookall-Nixon 2/1

B Soutar bt J Smith 1 hole

M Clark A/S J Hiluta

James White bt Joshua White 2/1

 

Result of Singles 7.5 – 2.5 England

Match Result: Scotland 10.5 – 4.5 England