England pip Scots for Amateur Team Championship

Scotland’s bid to claim the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship for the first time in four years came up agonisingly short, as England won an epic Auld Enemy battle in Denmark.

After a superb week at Silkeborg GC, the Scots were unable to cross the winning line – losing 4∫-2∫ after a tense contest.

Ewan Scott (St Andrews) and James Ross (Royal Burgess) lost the opening foursomes tie to Garrick Porteous and Neil Raymond 4&2 and minutes later Max Orrin and Nathan Kimsey wrapped up the same margin of victory against Glenbervie’s Graeme Robertson and Jack McDonald of Kilmarnock Barassie.

Two-nil down ahead of the five singles ties in the afternoon, the Scots faced an uphill task. Robertson again impressed to defeat Callum Shinkwin by a hole, while Porteous saw off McDonald 2&1, but Bradley Neil recorded his third singles win of the week in defeating Toby Tree by two holes. The final two games went to extra holes after Scott Borrowman lost a two-hole advantage against Orrin, who saw England home with victory at the 19th, Scott and Kimsey picking up a half each.