Scots pipped at post by Irish at Downfield

Scotland women were pipped 5-4 by Ireland on the opening day of the Home Internationals at Downfield, Dundee.

Aboyne’s Kimberely Beveridge and Shannon McWilliam teamed up in the foursomes to win the hosts a point with a 4&3 victory against Lauren Walsh and Paula Grant.

McWilliam also played in the afternoon singles, beating Rachel Thompson 4&3 but it was not enough to claim victory, with Chloe Goadby losing the final match 3&2 against Grant as Ireland opened with a win.

England recorded an emphatic 8.5-0.5 victory against Wales in the day’s other fixture.

It was also a disappointing start for the girls’ team at the same venue as they suffered a 6-3 loss against Ireland.

Blairgowrie’s Katy Alexander and Aboyne’s Carmen Griffiths, a winner in the singles, lost her foursomes match against Aine Donegan and Anna Foster 5&4.

Rachel Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas) was the only other Scot to win her singles match with a 2&1 success against Kilkenny’s Jan Browne.

England beat Wales 6-3. Meanwhile, Scotland have lost both of their opening games at the Boys’ Home Internationals at Ashburnham in Wales. Beaten 10-5 by Ireland in their opener, the Scots went down 9½-5½ against England on day two.

Nairn’s Calum Scott helped the Scots get off to a flying start, teaming up with Connor McKinney to win the opening match against Conor Gough and Robin Williams 2&1.

Scott won his singles match 3&2 against Barclay Brown, while Royal Aberdeen’s Liam Waldron defeated Jack Bigham by one hole.

The Scots take on Wales in their final match tomorrow.

Picture: Steve Brown. Scotland’s Rachel Foster on the first tee.