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Scotland win Ladies Home Internationals & England retain Girls title
August 10, 2018
In a thrilling finale, Scotland beat Ireland 6-3 to win the Ladies Home Internationals for the first time since 2010 while England beat Wales in a final day decider to retain the Girls Home Internationals title.
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In the Ladies Home Internationals, it all came down the final match between Scottish Amateur Champion Gemma Batty and Curtis Cup team member Paula Grant. Batty, who had lost her singles matches against both Wales and England, needed only a halve to secure victory on a count back of total points.“Gemma is Scottish Champion and I wanted to put her at number six," said Captain Susan Wood. "It had been tough to leave her out of the foursomes, but I knew she could do it. I am absolutely thrilled for the team. Ireland were strong favourites on paper, but I had a great team with a lot of experience.”
Despite being 1up with three holes to play, the pressure was piled on Batty when Grant birdied the long 16th to make the match all square. But the Scot held on with pars at the final two holes, bravely holing from three feet at the last for the vital halve.
Scotland had set the tone by winning the morning foursomes 2½ -½ and Hannah McCook continued her great form with a 6&5 win in the top singles. She had a great week, taking five out of six points.
Chloe Goadby and Connie Jaffrey were the other Scottish singles winners, while Mairead Martin and Annabel Wilson claimed points for the home favourites. So it all then came down to the final game.
In the other match, England, 5-4 winners over Scotland on day two, beat Wales 6½-2½ and clinched second place.
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In the Girls Home Internationals, Royal Cromer's Amelia Williamson, who had to pull out due to gastroenteritis on the eve of the event last year, was the standout player, winning six points out of six matches to help England retain the trophy.“It was a very tight match and the girls played brilliantly. I am delighted that we have retained the title. Amelia Williamson was outstanding in winning all her six matches,” said Captain Jane Melville.
England won the foursomes 2-1 in the final day decider against a dogged Welsh team and it proved decisive as the singles were shared 3-3.
The two key matches were at number two and three in the afternoon. Martha Lewis clinched the match on the 18th for a one hole win over Carys Worby and then Hannah Screen beat Darcey Harry by two holes. Williamson provided the third singles point with a 5&3 win over Ffion Vineall.
Ffion Tynan, who had a 100% record from five matches, won the top game for Wales 3&1 against the previously unbeaten Caitlin Whitehead, while Lea-Anne Bramwell and Eleanor Willis, who won the final match against Euphemie Rhodes at the 18th, added the other points.
In the other match, Ireland beat Scotland 5½-3½ to finish in third place, just losing out on Wales on games won for the runner-up spot.
The 2019 Ladies and Girls Home Internationals will be held at Downfield from 7-9 August.
