Women's Home International championship: Ireland take on England at Cruden Bay today knowing that they are in pole position to win the Women's Home International Championship for the first time in 17 years.
Victory over the English or a share of the spoils will give them the coveted crown after they completed a 5 and 4 success against Wales yesterday. England could only manage to half with Scotland which means Ireland are this morning on top of the international table and in a very healthy position.
"We are absolutely thrilled. At one stage this afternoon it looked as though we would not get such a good result as we were down in several matches. But in these tough conditions all the players have contributed and it has been a great effort," said Irish captain Mary McKenna.
Ireland won two of the three foursomes with the in-form Claire Coughlan and Helen Jones defeating Stephanie and Natalee Evans by 3 and 1 and young Tara Delaney and Maura Morrin overcoming Anna Highgate and Kate Phillips 4 and 2 in a match in which they were never behind.
But the real highlight of the day for Ireland was the top of the order singles victory by Vagliano Trophy player Tricia Mangan over Becky Brewerton, the former British and European champion. Mangan was never behind, turned for home level before edging in front and finally winning 2 and 1.
And Coughlan, the Irish strokeplay champion from Cork, maintained her 100 per cent record by beating Welsh champion Kate Phillips 5 and 3. And Coughlan finished the match in impressive fashion, knocking in a 25-foot birdie putt on the 15th green.
Although Delaney and Helen Jones both lost, Marie Dunne and Morrin secured important halves to see Ireland home.
Ireland have happy memories of Cruden Bay as they won the titles here in 1980, and McKenna is confident that they will repeat that famous victory today.
