Ireland beat Wales in Senior Home Internationals
Ireland’s defence of the Seniors Home Internationals got off to a solid start at Westport Golf Club on Tuesday with the home side comfortably accounting for Wales by seven matches to two. Scotland beat England 5-4.
In the morning foursomes Adrian Morrow and Maurice Kelly were never behind against Robert Broad and Steve Hopkins – running out winners by a comfortable 5 and 4 while Tom Cleary and Michael Quirke won seven holes in a row from the 6th to the 12th holes – a half on the 13th was good enough to secure a 6/5 win over Phil Jones and Keith Stimpson.
Ireland’s final pairing, Hugh Smyth and Seamus McParland, found themselves two down after four holes but battled back for a 3/1 win over Mike Rooke and Garry Huggett.
Ireland took the first three afternoon singles with Morrow, Cleary and Kelly all recording 2/1 wins. Wales two points came from the next two matches with John Whitcutt defeating Co Louth’s Barry Reddan by 4/3 while Phil Jones beat Michael Quirke by 1 hole. In the bottom match Hugh Smyth accounted for Garry Huggett by 5/4.
Ireland 7 Wales 2
(Ireland names first):
Foursomes:
Adrian Morrow & Maurice Kelly bt Robert Broad & Steve Hopkins 5/4; Tom Cleary & Michael Quirke bt Phil Jones & Keith Stimpson 6/5; Hugh Smyth & Seamus McParland bt Mike Rooke & Garry Huggett 3/1.
Singles:
Adrian Morrow bt Robert Broad 2/1; Tom Cleary bt Keith Stimpson 2/1; Maurice Kelly bt Steve Hopkins 2/1; Barry Reddan lost to John Whitcutt 4/3; Michael Quirke lost to Phil Jones 1 hole; Hugh Smyth bt Garry Huggett 5/4.
Scotland 5 England 4
(Scotland names first):
Foursomes:
Robert Stewart & Derek Murphy bt Andrew Carman & Andrew Stracey 4/2; John Fraser & George Paterson bt Geoff King & Philip Slater 3/2; Gordon McDonald & Sandy Pirie lost to Doug Arnold & Chris Reynolds 8/7.
Singles:
Robert Stewart bt Stewart King 3/2; George Paterson lost to Andrew Stracey 5/4; John Fraser lost to Andrew Carman 3/2; Ian Hutcheon bt Philip Slater 6/5; Derek
Murphy lost to Doug Arnold 3/2; Gordon McDonald bt Chris Reynolds 1 hole.