The Irish duo of Rebecca Codd and Martina Gillen could only manage a level-par 72 in the first round of the European Nations Cup at La Sella Golf Resort in Alicante today to lie in 16th position amongst the 18 competing countries.

Playing the better ball format in the opening round, the pair made the fatal error of carding a double bogey sixth on the 12th , which was compounded by a bogey at the short 14th.

That left them on two over after a bogey and two birdies on the front nine, but Codd would record birdies at the 15th and 18th to get them back to level par by the end of the round.

The Australian duo of Katherine Hull and Karen Lunn top the leaderboard after the first round after they carded an impressive round of 65 to reach seven under par.

The pair, looking to improve on Australia’s second place last year, are a shot clear of hosts Spain, who are represented by Maria Hernandez and Azahara Munoz Guijarro.

The competition is now in its fourth year and England, the winners of the first tournament back in 2008, sit two shots off the lead and tied for third after the with their partnership of Laura Davies and Melissa Reid joining the Italians of Giulia Sergas and Veronica Zorzi on five under par.

Sweden’s Sophie Gustafson and Anna Nordqvist won last year’s event and are still in contention as they finished tied fourth with Wales and France.