Catriona Matthew and Vikki Laing tied eighth in Spain

Catriona Matthew and Vikki Laing shot a betterball score of three under par 69 to put Scotland in a tie for eighth place after yesterday's first round of the European Nations Cup at La Sella in Spain.

Australia's Katherine Hull and Karen Lunn led on 65, one ahead of Spain's Maria Hernandez and Azahara Munoz Guijarro, with England's Melissa Reid and Laura Davies in third place on 67.

Playing together for a first time, the Scots managed five birdies - all by Matthew - but also had two holes when both made bogey. "It was a pity to drop the two shots but it is a reasonable start," said Matthew. "We are not too far behind and, hopefully, we can get closer tomorrow."

Hull and Lunn, a former Women's British Open Champion, also dropped a couple of shots, but made nine birdies, including four in a row from the third in an outward nine of 31.

Sweden's Sophie Gustafson and Anna Nordqvist won last year's event and are still in contention as they finished tied fourth with Wales and France.

Austria and Russia face an uphill task to put themselves in a position to challenge for the tournament win after carding rounds of 77 and 74 respectively.