Home advantage counts for nothing as boys take an early battering

Scotland's hopes of Boys' Home Internationals glory suffered a crippling early blow as they lost to Ireland on the opening day at Southerness.

The Scots, who won the title the last time the event was held on home soil at Moray in 2006, went down 12-3 to an impressive Irish side.

Stuart Wilson's team, featuring local duo Grant Forrest and Simon Fairburn, found themselves on the back foot in the morning foursomes and only a half-point from the pairing of Conor O'Neil and Paul McPhee prevented Ireland claiming a clean sweep of the session.

Trailing 4…-… heading into the singles, the Scots picked up just two and a half points from the ten singles matches as the Irish eased to victory.

In the day's other fixture, defending champions England were held to a 7…-7… draw by a battling Wales side.

England had moved into a commanding 4-1 lead during the foursomes but the Welsh rallied in the singles to grab a share of the spoils.