Ireland go head to head with reigning champions England at Royal Wimbledon today knowing that a share of the spoils will almost certainly land them their first women’s home international title for 11 years. They were surprisingly held 4½-4½ by Wales yesterday as the Scots beat England 6-3.

Ireland took the foursomes against Wales 2-1, with youngsters Olivia Mehaffey and Annabel Wilson winning their second point together beating Sam Birks and Georgia Lewis 3&2.

Paula Grant and new cap Julie McCarthy also triumphed, while Maria Dunne and Chloe Ryan went down 3&2 to Kath O’Connor and Lauren Hillier.

In the singles Mehaffey had to dig deep to get home 2&1, while Niamh McSherry saw off the challenge of Birks 2&1. It was McCarthy who made certain Ireland drew as she shared the honours with Lewis, while Irish champion Sarah Helly, Grant and Dunne all lost.