Women's Home Internationals: Ireland defended their Home International title in thrilling style after a 7-1 victory over Scotland at Royal Porthcawl yesterday to record their first back-to-back victories in the history of the competition.
After beating England in a sensational finish last year at Cruden Bay the Irish again produced the goods on the last day.
With thunder and lightning storms forcing a cancellation of the foursomes matches the final series was reduced to just eight singles matches. And needing to win as many points as possible the holders gave an inspired performance to overwhelm the Scots while Wales and England battled to a share of the spoils at 4-4 which gave the Welsh second spot and left England in third place and Scotland with the wooden spoon.
Irish champion Deirdre Smith from Co Louth led the way as she recorded a surprise 2 and 1 victory over British strokeplay champion Clare Queen at the top of the order after a tremendously hard-fought battle.
Vagliano Trophy star Tricia Mangan of Ennis followed up with a 17th-hole success against Anne Laing and the biggest win of the day was chalked up by the oldest member of the Irish team, Helen Jones, who hammered Kylie Walker 7 and 5.
Jones, after a half at the 10th (her first hole) won six of the next eight holes before finishing the match on the 11th. When Sinéad O'Sullivan and Heather Nolan both won the celebrations were able to begin.
O'Sullivan turned two up on Lynn Kenny and went on to win on the 15th while Nolan, who was also involved in a decisive match last year, won on the 17th against Heather MacRae. Dubliner Maura Morrin, who plays out of the Curragh, was the only Irish loser, going down to Jenna Wilson on the last green.
Team captain Sheena O'Brien Kenney was naturally elated. "This has been a great week - after losing to Wales the girls really bounced back brilliantly."
Ireland 7 Scotland 1 (Irish first) Singles: Deirdre Smith bt Clare Queen 2 and 1; Tricia Mangan bt Anne Laing 3 and 1; Sinead O'Sullivan bt Lynn Kenny 4 and 2; Heather Nolan bt Heather MacRae 2 and 1; Helen Jones bt Kylie Walker 7 and 6; Maura Morrin lost to Jenna Wilson 2 up; Martina Gillen bt Martine Pow 2 and 1; Claire Coughlan bt Krystle Caithness 5 and 4.
Wales 4 England 4 (Wales first): Singles: Anna Highgate lost to Kerry Smith 2 up; Breanne Loucks lost to Emma Duggleby 3 and 2; Lydia Hall bt Julie Ross 1 up; Jo Nicolson bt Alex Marshall 2 and 1; Natalee Evans halved with Naomi Edwards; Kate Phillips halved with Lisa Ball; Stephanie Evans bt Faye Sanderson 4 and 2; Sarah Jones lost to Sophie Walker 2up.
Overall: 1. Ireland 2 pts (14½), 2. Wales 1½ (13½), 3. England 1½ (12½), 4. Scotland 1 (11½).
