SCOTLAND UPSET HOLDERS IRELAND TO WIN LADIES' HOME INTERNATIONALS

                      Picture of winning Scotland women's team by courtesy of the R and A

R AND A NEWS RELEASE

In a thrilling finale, Scotland beat Ireland 6-3 to win the Ladies Home Internationals for the first time since 2010 while England beat Wales in a final -day decider to retain the Girls Home Internationals title.

In the Ladies Home Internationals, it all came down the final match between Scottish amateur champion Gemma Batty and Curtis Cup team member Paula Grant.

Batty, who had lost her singles matches against both Wales and England, needed only a half to secure victory on a count back of total points.  

One up with three holes to play, Batty was under pressure when Grant birdied the long 16th to make the match all square. But the Scot held on with pars at the final two holes, bravely holing from three feet at the last for the vital halve.   

Scotland had set the tone by winning the morning foursomes 2½ -½ and Hannah McCook continued her great form with a 6 and 5 win in the top singles. She had a great week, taking five out of six points.

Chloe Goadby and Connie Jaffrey were the other Scottish singles winners, while Mairead Martin and Annabel Wilson claimed points for the home favourites. So it all then came down to the final game.

In the other match, England, 5-4 winners over Scotland on day two, beat Wales 6½-2½ and clinched second place.

In the Girls Home Internationals, Royal Cromer’s Amelia Williamson, who had to pull out due to gastroenteritis on the eve of the event last year, was the stand-out player, winning six points out of six matches to help England retain the trophy.

England won the foursomes 2-1 in the final day decider against a dogged Welsh team and it proved decisive as the singles were shared 3-3.

The two key matches were at number two and three in the afternoon. Martha Lewis clinched the match on the 18th for a one hole win over Carys Worby and then Hannah Screen beat Darcey Harry by two holes. Williamson provided the third singles point with a 5 and 3 win over Ffion Vineall.

Ffion Tynan, who had a 100% record from five matches, won the top game for Wales 3 and 1 against the previously unbeaten Caitlin Whitehead, while Lea-Anne Bramwell and Eleanor Willis, who won the final match against Euphemie Rhodes at the 18th, added the other points.

In the other match, Ireland beat Scotland 5½-3½ to finish in third place, just losing out on Wales on games won for the runner-up spot.

The 2019 Ladies and Girls Home Internationals will be held at Downfield, Dundee from 7-9 August 7 to 9.

Key Quotes

Susan Wood, non-playing Captain, Scotland:

“Gemma is Scottish Champion and I wanted to put her at number six. It had been tough to leave her out of the foursomes, but I knew she could do it. I am absolutely thrilled for the team. Ireland were strong favourites on paper, but I had a great team with a lot of experience.”

Danielle McVeigh, non-playing Captain, Ireland:

“Scotland were the better players on the day and congratulations to them. It is disappointing, but we were up against it all day and now we look forward to good things going forward.”

Elaine Ratcliffe, non-playing Captain, England:

“It was so close. Scotland deserved to win and I am just delighted by the level of golf that everyone played all week.”

Jane Melville, non-playing Captain, England Girls:

“It was a very tight match and the girls played brilliantly. I am delighted that we have retained the title. Amelia Williamson was outstanding in winning all her six matches.” 

Sue Joseph, non-playing Captain, Wales Girls:

“It was so close. There was just a turnaround in the middle of the singles when we lost two matches at the 18th. But overall it was a great week. I am very pleased and very proud. The girls all prepared so well. Their focus and effort were second to none.”

SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL DAY'S WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' RESULTS AT BALLYBUNION