Ireland upset the form book when they sent reigning champions England tumbling to an opening day defeat in the Boys Home International championship at Moray GC in Scotland yesterday.

It was nip and tuck during the afternoon singles, but in the end the Royal Portrush star James Patterson secured the point that gave the Irish victory, beating Billy Fowles on the home green.

In the match ahead, Paul O'Kane from Moyola Park had produced an awesome display to thrash Darren Wright, the English Boys champion, 4 and 3.

At the top of the order, Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney did well to beat Sam Hutsby, and there wins also for Andrew Hogan from Newlands and Knock's Colin Fairweather.

"It was an outstanding display by the boys and we are now cautiously optimistic," said captain, Dick Cusack.