Ireland's hopes of winning the Stroyan Cup at Downfield, Dundee were virtually ended by a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Scotland yesterday, as England toppled defending champions Wales 6-3. It looks as if today's clash between the opening-day winners will decide the overall outcome of the three-day programme.

Irish girls' champion Martina Gillen from Beaverstown lost in the foursomes in partnership with Maria Dunne (Skerries) and again in the singles, as Ireland had it all to do after losing the foursomes 3-0.

Gillen got off to a good start in the singles, winning the first with a birdie against Scottish girls' champion Louise Kenney, but never led again after and and went down by two holes. Kenney was roughly level par at the finish, which gives a fair idea of the high standard of golf.

Heather Nolan from Shannon went down by one hole to Laura Wells who was three up at the turn. It took a 15-foot birdie putt by the Scot on the 18th to settle the match. Ireland's winners were Norma Mullooly (Donegal), who beat Catherine Miller by 3 and 2, and Suzie Hayes (Hermitage), who won by the same margin over Heather MacRae.