Boys' Home InternationalsIreland were cruelly pipped at the post in their bid for the four-cornered Boys' Home International title on Moray's Old Course at Lossiemouth, Scotland, yesterday.

Having put paid to both Wales and the heavy favourites, England, they required just a share of the honours with Scotland yesterday to clinch the R&A Trophy.

But at the end of a nail-biting afternoon, which came down to the last match on the course, they were pipped 8-7, and so had to be content with the runners-up spot.

The foursomes were very keenly contested, with two of the games ending level, but the session finished 3-2 in Scotland's favour.

There was certainly high tension on the final afternoon with fortunes ebbing and flowing.Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney, who was outstanding throughout the series, was playing at the top of the order and his game against Lewis Kirton was seen as vital - and what a thriller it turned out to be.

In the end that match was halved to set the scene for a roller-coaster period.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler maintained his good form with a 4 and 3 win over former British Boys champion Jordan Findlay.

But then came three successive Scottish victories, before the Ireland ship was steadied by James Patterson, the first-day hero, who beat Cameron Gray 3 and 1.

With Brian Keenan and Paul O'Kane winning, and Luke Lennox going down 4 and 2 in the 10th and final match, it all came down to match number nine between Andrew Hogan, the Newlands star, and James White.

Early on White had his nose in front, but back came Hogan and it was hammer and tongs to the finish.

Both had their chances, but it ended all square - and Ireland needed to win that point to lift the trophy.

"It was a fantastic display by the boys, and it is a crying shame they fell short. But they can feel proud of the effort all week," said captain Dick Cusack.

England, who had won the title for the last eight years, came third after overcoming Wales by 9-6.