Ireland's Suzanne O'Brien returned home yesterday after a personal triumph in the biennial Vagliano Trophy match at North Berwick. Although Britain and Ireland suffered their third consecutive defeat by the Continent of Europe, 32-year-old O'Brien from Milltown, was the only player on either side to record four wins out of four.

And this success means that the former Irish champion is now in pole position to secure a place in the Curtis Cup side to face the Americans at Ganton next June.

"Quite frankly I had not thought about the Curtis Cup but I would be absolutely thrilled to be chosen," said O'Brien after her fourth success in the two-day match - by 3 and 2 over Germany's Nicole Stillig.