Ireland's hopes of winning the Men's Home International series for the first time since 1992 were dashed at Carnoustie yesterday when they went down in a nail-biting contest by 8-7 to surprise packets Wales.

With Scotland and England drawing their contest yesterday, it means the Irish cannot win the title regardless of the result of today's final match against England, while Scotland will finish off against Wales.

The Irish surrendered the foursomes 3-2, but battled back in the singles which became tighter and tighter until the outcome of the whole contest rested on the final two ties, both of which Ireland lost.

The Welsh have never won the four-cornered series, but will do so if they beat Scotland today. If they lose however, Scotland and England both have a chance, but the destiny of the Raymond Trophy would then come down to points differential.

The tension of the moment obviously got to Welsh captain Andy Ingram who almost forgot to enter his team with tournament officials for today's final series of matches.

"I was in the shower just thinking about how well we'd done and it suddenly came to me that I hadn't put my team in. I had no option but to rush on some clothes and run down with it!"