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| Scottish Girls' and Womens' Teams |
SCOTS WOMEN ARE OUT OF IT AT CONWY
By COLIN FARQUHARSON
England's eight-year reign as champions of the Girls' Home International matches is over.
After a draw on the first day with Ireland, they were toppled by Scotland who beat England 6-3 at Conwy Golf Club, North Wales today
After a draw on the first day with Ireland, they were toppled by Scotland who beat England 6-3 at Conwy Golf Club, North Wales today
Ireland, who beat Wales 7-2, will play Scotland in the title decider tomorrow. (Friday)
If the Scots win or even draw with Ireland, they will be girls' champions for the first time since 2007.
Ireland, who have never won the Under-18s title, will end their lean years if they can beat the Scots, as they did last year by a 6-3 margin.
Twelve months ago England beat Scotland 5.5-3.5 at this level but this is a strong Scots side with Hazel MacGarvie and Jillian Farrell twin towers of strength in the foursomes and in the singles.
Scotland took a 2.5-0.5 lead from the foursomes and that became a 3pt lead when Shannon McWilliam found her best form late in a 3 and 2 win over England's Lily-May Humphreys in the top singles.
Humphreys was one up after 12 holes but then McWilliam produced the victory surge by winning the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th for victory.
England had the better of the middle-order singles ties with Emily Price beating Joanne Free 2 and 1, and Louisa Brunt winning by 2 and 1 over Jennifer Rankine, while Amelia Williamson had a square match with Louise Duncan.
It was left to the "Young Firm" of Farrell and MacGarvie to wrap things up for Scotland.
Farrell won by 5 and 3 against the highly rated Annabel Fuller, and MacGarvie, Scotland's U18s girls champion, polished off the challenge of Isobel Wardle by 4 and 3.
But Scotland will need to raise their game one more time against Ireland who were impressive 7-2 winners today against Wales. The Irish took the foursomes 3-0 and the singles 4-2.
If the Scots win or even draw with Ireland, they will be girls' champions for the first time since 2007.
Ireland, who have never won the Under-18s title, will end their lean years if they can beat the Scots, as they did last year by a 6-3 margin.
Twelve months ago England beat Scotland 5.5-3.5 at this level but this is a strong Scots side with Hazel MacGarvie and Jillian Farrell twin towers of strength in the foursomes and in the singles.
Scotland took a 2.5-0.5 lead from the foursomes and that became a 3pt lead when Shannon McWilliam found her best form late in a 3 and 2 win over England's Lily-May Humphreys in the top singles.
Humphreys was one up after 12 holes but then McWilliam produced the victory surge by winning the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th for victory.
England had the better of the middle-order singles ties with Emily Price beating Joanne Free 2 and 1, and Louisa Brunt winning by 2 and 1 over Jennifer Rankine, while Amelia Williamson had a square match with Louise Duncan.
It was left to the "Young Firm" of Farrell and MacGarvie to wrap things up for Scotland.
Farrell won by 5 and 3 against the highly rated Annabel Fuller, and MacGarvie, Scotland's U18s girls champion, polished off the challenge of Isobel Wardle by 4 and 3.
But Scotland will need to raise their game one more time against Ireland who were impressive 7-2 winners today against Wales. The Irish took the foursomes 3-0 and the singles 4-2.
Scotland's women flattered to deceive. They played very well to take a 2-1 foursomes lead over title-holders England but were not at the races in the singles with the English winning the first five ties.
Only Heather Munro was a Scotland winner in the afternoon, by 4 and 2. She has played well over the two days.
So a 2-1 lead became a 6-3 defeat for Scotland.
Ireland and Wales drew 4.5pt apiece and it well be a triple tie for the title if Ireland finish with a win over Scotland while Wales and England draw. If that is the case it will be a three-way countback and Ireland will be looking for a big win over Scotland to boost their games-won column for any possible tie-breaker.
HOME INTERNATIONALS
Conwy GC, North Wales
Day 2 results
WOMENENGLAND 6, SCOTLAND 3
Foursomes: 1-2
L Prior and E Allen lost to J Meek and H Munro 1 hole.
M MacLaren and O Winning bt E Briggs and H McCook 1 hole.
G Clews and S Lamb lost to C Young and C Jaffrey 3 and 1
Singles: 5-1
Clews bt McCook 6 and 4.
MacLaren bt Briggs 6 and 5.
Lamb bt Meek 3 and 1.
S Giles bt C Goadby 2 and 1
Winning bt Young 2 and 1.
Prior lost to Munro 4 and 2.
IRELAND 4.5, WALES 4.5
HOW THEY STAND
Wales 1 win, 1 draw
England 1 win, 1 draw
Ireland 2 draws
Scotland 2 defeats
FRIDAY'S MATCHES
Scotland v Ireland
Wales v England
GIRLS
ENGLAND 3, SCOTLAND 6
Foursomes: 0.5-2.5
L-M Humphreys and A Williamson lost to S McWilliam and J Free 2 and 1
E Price and I Wardle halved with J Rankine and J MacKintosh.
L Brunt and A Fuller lost to H MacGarvie and J Farrell 5 and 3.
Singles: 2.5-3.5
Humphreys lost to McWilliam 3 and 2.
Price bt Free 2 and 1.
Williamson halved with L Duncan.
Brunt bt Rankine 2 and 1.
Fuller lost to Farrell 4 and 3.
Wardle lost to MacGarvie 4 and 3.
IRELAND 7, WALES 2
HOW THEY STAND
Scotland 2 wins
Ireland 1 win, 1 draw
England 1 draw, 1 defeat
Wales 2 defeats
FRIDAY MATCHES:
Scotland v Ireland
Wales v England
