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| Scotland Team - Courtesy of Colin Farquharson |
Scotland and Ireland made disappointing starts to the Women's Home International matches at a bright and breezy Cork golf course in southern Ireland today
The Scots were beaten 6-3 by Wales. Last year, at Hillside, Scotland lost "only" 5-4 to the Welsh.
Ireland, thrashed 8-1 12 months ago by England, were on the receiving end of an even worse defeat at Cork ... whitewashed 9-0 by the defending champions.
The morning foursomes had ended with the promise of better things to come as Kelsey MacDonald and Rachael Watton birdied the last to salvage a square match and a share of the spoils with Wales at 1 1/2pt each.
Laura Murray (Alford) and Renfrewhire's Alyson McKechin (Elderslie) had secured the one morning Scottish win by two holes over Curtis Cup player Amy Boulden and Becky Harries.
But the afternoon singles were a huge disappointment for the Scots' supporters.
Renfrewshire's Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) lost by 3 and 2 to Amy Boulden but, to be fair, Eilidh had a match-play tiger by the tail. Amy had five birdies on the outward half and was three up at the turn.
Chloe Williams trimmed Kelsey MacDonald (Nairn Dunbar) by 4 and 2. The Welsh youngster won four holes on the outward half and just when Kelsey was mounting a late surge, Williams conjured up an eagle 3 at the 15th to go back to three up.
Alyson McKechin had halved match with Katie Bradbury in a tight contest in which there was never more than a hole in it either way.
Scottish U18 girls champion Lauren Whyte (St Regulus), making her adult team debut for Scotland, lost by one hole to Gemma Bradbury after being three up on the eighth tee.
Young Lauren was still one up with two to play but her opponent staged a smash-and-grab victory by winning the 17th and 18th holes.
Scottish champion Laura Murray went down by 2 and 1 to Samantha Birks. Laura was three down at the turn but fought her way back to all square after 13 but Birks won the 14th and 15th and held on for victory.
Jane Turner (Craigielaw), playing the anchor role for the Scots, did her job with the only singles victory. She beat former Welsh champion Becky Harries by 4 and 3 after winning four of the first six holes.
Things can only get better for Scotland - or can they? They play the rampant England in their next match.
WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS
Cork Golf Club, Ireland
DAY 1
WALES 6, SCOTLAND 3
Foursomes - Amy Boulden and Becky Harries lost to Laura Murray and Alyson McKechin 2 holes, Chloe Williams and Katie Bradbury beat Eilidh Briggs and Jane Turner 3 and 1, Katherin O'Connor and Samantha Birks halved with Kelsey MacDonald and Rachael Watton (1 1/2-1 1/2)
SINGLES - Boulden beat Briggs 3 and 2, Williams beat MacDonald 4 and 2, Katie Bradbury halved with McKechin, Gemma Bradbury beat Lauren Whyte 1 hole, Birks beat Murray 2 and 1, Harries lost to Turner 4 and 3 (4 1/2-1 1/2)
IRELAND 0, ENGLAND 9
FOURSOMES - Gillian O'Leary and Sarah Cunningham lost to Kelly Tidy and Alexandra Peters 4 and 3, Mary Dowling and Jessica Carty lost to Georgia Hall and Emily Taylor 3 and 1, Deirdre Smith and Chloe Ryan lost to Holly Clyburn and Bronte Law 4 and 3 (0-3)
SINGLES - Maria Dunne lost to Tidy 8 and 7, Carty lost to Hall 3 and 1, Lucy Simpson lost to Amber Ratcliffe 3 and 1, O'Leary lost to Clyburn 3 and 2, Smith lost to Peters 2 and 1, Cunningham lost to Taylor 4 and 3 (0-6)
WEDNESDAY'S MATCHES
England v Scotland, Ireland v Wales.
