Scots fall to Auld Enemy

Scotland flattered to deceive for the second successive day in the senior men’s home internationals at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire yesterday and now face a battle today to avoid back-to-back wooden spoons.

They led England 2-1 after the morning foursomes and were holding their own in the singles until late in the day, but then faltered and lost four matches on the final two holes to succumb 6-3.

Now they will have to beat Wales to avoid bottom spot, while Ireland and England go head-to-head for the championship.

Fraser McCluskey and Robert Stewart and John Fraser and David Gardner had put the Scots in pole position with foursomes successes.

But, in the end, they managed to win only one singles match – McCluskey defeating Adrian Donkersley 4&3.

Ian Brotherston, John Fraser and Robert Stewart were all in a strong position at one point, but they bit the dust and let England in to stroll to victory.

Fraser was in a nail-biter with Charles Banks, but lost on the last, while Brotherston and Stewart went down on the penultimate hole.

Ireland beat Wales 7-2 to set up a championship decider with England.