Scotland, were 4-3 winners over Ireland, and England, were 6-1 winners against Wales, in the Senior Women's Home Internationals at Royal Tara Golf Club, Navan in Ireland's County Meath today
After the foursomes were shared 1-1, Scotland took the top three singles to achieved an unassailable lead.
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) beat the legendary Mary McKenna, the Curtis Cup team captain from Donabate by 3 and 1 in the top singles tie.
Then past Scottish, Irish and Italian seniors champion Pamela Williamson (Baberton) won by 2 and 1 against Eileen McMullen.
St Rule member Fiona De Vries, the current Scottish seniors' stroke-play champion, confidently won her match 4 and 3 against the vastly experienced Valerie Hassett (Ennis), runner-up in the Irish seniors championship this year.
That put the Scots into a winning 4-1 lead overall.
Ireland won the last two singles. Sheena O’Brien Kenney beat Margaret Tough (Falkirk) by 2 and 1 and Mary Madden finished one up against Helen Faulds (Douglas Park). Rhona Fanagan, Ireland’s Team Captain said, “We had some incredible matches today against Scotland. They (Lorna Bennett and Fiona Hunter) made a great comeback on the last hole this morning, holing a 10ft putt to take the first foursomes tie. Great golf and a most enjoyable match, we look forward to tomorrow.”
Scotland team captain Joan Marshall (Baberton) said “ I am delighted with the team. They all contributed today, the passion was there, great team spirit. We need more of the same against England. We will need to play our best to win”England won four out of five singles against Wales after claiming the foursomes 2-0. Vicki Thomas (Carmarthen) the current Welsh senior stroke-play champion, won the only point for Wales against Sue Ellis (Ferndown) by 5 and 4.First-day results:
IRELAND 3, SCOTLAND 4
Foursomes: M Henderson & S O'Brien-Kenney lost to L Bennett (Ladybank) & F Hunter (Baberton) 1 hole; M Madden & C Cahill bt K Sutherland (Royal Montrose) & F De Vries (St Rule) 3 and 2 (1-1).
Singles: M McKenna lost to Bennett 3 and 1, E MacMullen lost to P Williamson (Baberton) 2 and 1, V Hassett lost to De Vries 4 and 3, O'Brien-Kenney bt M Tough (Falkirk) 2 holes, Madden bt H Faulds (Douglas Park) 1 hole (2-3).
WALES 1, ENGLAND 6
Foursomes: V Thomas & D Richards lost to C Quinn & C Watson 6 and 5; A Lewis & J Doleman lost to C Caldwell & H Smyth 5 and 4 (0-2).
Singles: Thomas bt S Ellis 5 and 4, Lewis lost to Caldwell 6 and 4, J O'Connor lost to S Dye 4 and 3, Doleman lost to P Wrightson 2 holes, Richards lost to Quinn 4 and 3 (1-4).
Wednesday matches: Scotland v England, Ireland v Wales.
Thanks go to Gillian Kirkwood for the report
