Scots secure face-saving win as England keep Stroyan Cup

SCOTLAND'S golfers avoided the wooden spoon with a final-day victory over Wales, but England had the most to celebrate at Gullane yesterday by claiming the Girls' Home Internationals for a fourth successive year.

After a disappointing opening-day defeat from Ireland, Scotland had come close to upsetting England on Thursday and the home side finally got a point on the board with a 6-3 win over the Welsh.

The Scots won the foursomes 2- over the No?2 course and the third place overall was secured when Lauren Whyte and Hannah McCook won at the end of the singles order and Eilidh Briggs birdied the 18th to win the hole and earn a half in the top match against Chloe Williams. With the result settled, Carnoustie's Ailsa Summers added another point with a 2 and 1 win over Myriam Hassan.

Ireland had gone into the final with a slight edge, but England, held to a draw by Wales, showed they weren't ready to let go of the Stroyan Cup by winning the morning foursomes 3-0 and it didn't take long for them to clean up in the singles. Emily Taylor had won her match 7 and 5 at the bottom of the order and then Bronte Law, the top points earner with five out of six, and Brogan Townend both won comfortably to put the outcome beyond doubt. The final score was England 7 Ireland 1.

For the Scots, the hope is that they are all running nicely into form in time for the start of the British Girls' Championship over Gullane No?1 from Monday to Friday next week. Two days of strokeplay qualifying will reduce the field to 64 for the matchplay knock-out.