Scotland skipper Lesley Nicholson believes team can take title

Scotland skipper Lesley Nicholson leads her team into today's Women's Home Internationals golf matches at Whitchurch Golf Club, in Cardiff, confident that the long wait could be over at the end of the three-day tournament on Friday.

It's 19 years since Scotland won the title - coincidentally at a Welsh venue, Aberdovey - and the memory of last year's last-day defeat on home links at Irvine to Wales still hurts.

The Scots, having beaten Ireland and then England, needed only a draw with Wales to be crowned champions. With just one hour's play to go, Scotland were in a winning position. Then it all crumbled away and Wales won 6-3 to retain the title.

Despite the loss of Carly Booth and Kylie Walker to the pro ranks since then, Scotland, on paper at least, could be a stronger unit this time round.

They won the bronze medals ahead of England, Ireland and Wales at the European women's team championships at La Manga in early July.

"We've practised well, the team spirit is high… we're ready to go," said Nicholson.

Unusually for a tournament played in early September, preferred lies will be in operation.