Ireland showed a welcome return to form when sharing the points, 4 1/2 each, with Wales, while England edged out Scotland 5-4 in the Girls' Home Internationals at Mullingar Golf Club yesterday.

After losing heavily to Scotland in their opening game, the Irish team called on all their reserves to force a half with the Welsh and none more so than Claire Coughlan, who came from four down after 10 holes in the singles to beat Joanne Pritchard by one hole.

The Cork girl hit a purple patch on the back nine and won the 11th, 12th and 13th holes to square the match for the first time after going behind on the second.

A brilliant birdie two at the 15th put her ahead for the first time and she held on with halves at 16, 17 and 18.

Charleville's Aida Burke was always in command in beating Caroline Cole 7 and 6 but Irish Close Champion, Pamela Murphy, will be disappointed with her half with Wales number one Rebecca Brewerton.

The Island girl was two up with three to play, but lost the 16th to a birdie four and missed the green at the difficult 17th to go back to all square.

The Irish made a good start to the day when winning the foursomes by two matches to one.

Holders England had to call on all their experience to edge out Scotland 5-4.

Ireland 4 1/2 Wales 4 1/2

Foursomes: C Coughlan, M Gillen lost to L Archer, R Brewerton 3 and 1; P Murphy, D Judge bt C Cole, S Jones 2 and 1; S Galvin, A Burke bt A Highgate, K Walls 2 up. Result: Ireland 2 Wales 1.

SINGLES: P Murphy halved with R Brewerton; M Gillen lost to A Archer 3 and 1; C Coughlan bt J Pritchard 1 up; D Judge lost to S Jones 3 and 2; M Gilhawley lost to K Phillips 3 and 1; A Burke bt C Cole 7 and 6. Result: Ireland 2 1/2 Wales 3 1/2.

England 5 Scotland 4

Foursomes: L Walters, M Allen halved ith V Laing, A Walker; F Moore, S Heath bt S Laing, L Kenny 2 and 1; R Adby, O Briggs lost to M Moffat, L Wells 3 and 2. Result: England 1 1/2 Scotland 1 1/2.

singles: L Walters halved with V Laing; F More bt S Laing 3 and 2; K Lawton halved with L Wells; S Heath halved it A Finlay; O Briggs bt A Walker 2 and 1; M Allen lost to L Moffat 5 and 3. Result: England 3 1/2 Scotland 2 1/2.

Today's Foursomes Pairings: England v Ireland - L Waters, M Allen v P Murphy, D Judge; F More, S Heath v A Burke, S Galvin; R Adby, O Briggs v C Coughlan, M Gillen.

Scotland v Wales - V Laing, A Walker v L Archer, B Brewerton; L Moffat, L Wells v P Phillips, J Pritchard; S Laing, C Gruber v C Cole.