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England beat Wales – but lose Home International title

Monday, 15 September 2008
Paula Benn
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Naomi Edwards

England defeated Wales 5½-3½ on the final day of the Home International Matches at Wrexham – but fell just short of retaining the title.

The result gave both teams two wins from three matches and the championship was decided on a countback of games won. Wales triumphed 12-10.

This is only the second Home Internationals victory for Wales. England, meanwhile, are multiple winners of the event and were aiming for their fourth title in a row.

The team knew they needed a good win over Wales to stand any chance of success in the tournament and they set off in great style, winning 2½ points from the three morning foursomes.

They followed up in the afternoon singles with three wins for a convincing victory on the day – but it was not quite enough to win the tournament.

Florentyna Parker provided the first of England’s three singles points in a top-quality match against her Curtis Cup team-mate, Breanne Loucks. They staged a sparkling finale for spectators. The English player birdied the 14th to go one ahead, the 15th was halved in birdies, the Welsh golfer birdied 17 to square the match – and Florentyna birdied the 18th to win.

Naomi Edwards was in control throughout her singles, reaching the turn at two up and extending her lead to three at the 12th. She lost the 14th but closed out the match with a series of halved holes.

Liz Bennett was two down after four and one down after nine, but turned her match around by winning the 10th, 11th and 12th. She emerged the 2/1 winner.

In the day’s other match Scotland beat Ireland 6½-2½

England results

Foursomes:

Rachel Connor (Manchester) & Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) halved with Sahra Hassan & Rhian Wyn Thomas
Kerry Smith (Waterlooville) & Liz Bennett (Brokenhurst Manor) beat Breanne Loucks & Amy Boulden 1 up
Naomi Edwards (Ganton) & Florentyna Parker (Royal Birkdale) beat Tara Davies & Stephanie Evans 4&3

Singles

Parker beat Loucks 1 up
Smith lost to Hassan 2 down
Edwards beat Hannah Jenkins 2&1
Hannah Barwood (Knowle) lost to Evans 1 down
Rachel Jennings (Izaak Walton) lost to Boulden 3&1
Bennett beat Davies 2&1

Full details: www.lgu.org.