DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Ireland were pipped by Wales in their opening amateur home international match at Hillside yesterday. The last two crucial games went against them on the final green as they lost by an 8-7 margin.

Ireland made the best possible start in the foursomes winning the first game, Paul Cutler and Alan Dunbar overwhelming Luke Thomas and Richard Hooper 8 and 7. Pat Murray and Dara Lernihan won out as did Niall Kearney and Simon Ward and Ireland went into lunch 3-2 ahead. Irish champion Pat Murray won the first four holes against Thomas – and coasted home 5 and 3.

The decisive matches were in the bottom half of the draw. Simon Ward had a battle royal with 15-year-old Rhys Pugh as the latter grabbed the initiative just after the turn and recorded a 21 win. But the vital matches saw Lernihan up against Alastair Jones and Robert Cannon against James Frazer. Lernihan fell behind at the 17th and was unable to win the last. And then came the game that could have rescued Ireland – Cannon was one down playing the final hole against Frazer and had a chance to secure a half point when his Welsh rival was short of the green in two but Frazer chipped to three feet and tapped in the putt.