Golf:Ireland were pipped at the post in a gripping final day at the Women's Home Internationals at a rain-sodden Whitchurch in Cardiff .
A six foot putt on the last green by Scotland’s British Open Strokeplay champion Pamela Pretswell denied Ireland their first title for six years.
The crucial putt gave the 22-year-old Glasgow University student a one-hole victory over the previously unbeaten Leona Maguire - and heartache for Ireland.
It resulted in a 5-4 win for Scotland who lifted the Miller Trophy for the first time since 1991 - also in Wales at Aberdovey. If Maguire and Pretswell had halved, the overall spoils would have been shared and Ireland would have taken the title by virtue of winning more individual points.
“So near yet so far,” said Irish captain Claire Robinson.
It was a gripping final afternoon as fortunes ebbed and flowed in the deciding set of matches. Scotland won the foursomes 2-1 and in the afternoon rain Irish champion Mary Dowling had a tussle with opposite number Kelsey Macdonald. Dowling was one up at the turn and still one ahead with five to play but eventually lost on the 18th.
Danielle McVeigh was in scintillating form to crush Jane Turner 6 and 5 while Lisa Maguire, with a 100 per cent record in the series, had a real nail-biter with Rachel Watton, who eventually succumbed to the Irish twin on the 18th.
Sinead O’Sullivan was always down in her match but Charlene Reid, two behind with six to play, won three holes on the spin to nose in front. She then conceded the 15th to go back to all-square then regained the initiative at the 16th and held on for victory.
Leona Maguire, the French under-20 champion birdied the short 15th to grab the lead against Pretswell but lost the next. And when the Scot got up and down at the last knocking in a six-foot putt it was all over - Scotland could celebrate.
Lisa Maguire as she was the only player with a maximum six points and she along with twin sister Leona and McVeigh can now look forward to the World Championship challenge next month in Argentina.
Ireland were visibly upset at their narrow defeat but will no doubt make a strong bid to clinch the crown next year at Hillside in Southport.
England finished with the wooden spoon after being held 4.5-4.5 by Wales, champions in 2008 and last year. They were bottom of the pile having gained fewer individual points than Wales.
Ireland v Scotland (Irish names first):Foursomes – D McVeigh and C Reid lost to K MacDonald and L Kenney 2 and 1; S O'Sullivan and G O'Leary lost to M Briggs and M Pow 3 and 1; Leona Maguire and Lisa Maguire beat P Pretswell and J Turner one hole. Foursomes – Ireland 1 Scotland 2. Singles : M Dowling lost to MacDonald two holes; McVeigh beat Turner 6 and 5; Leona Maguire lost to Pretswell one hole; Lisa Maguire beat R Watton one hole; Reid beat Briggs 2 and 1; O'Sullivan lost to Kenney 3 and 2. Singles – Ireland 3 Scotland 3. Match Result – Ireland 4 Scotland 5.
Final Placings :1 Scotland 2 Ireland 3 Wales 4 England.