Scotland retain Senior Men's Home Internationals after three-way tie
Scotland
Scotland retained the Senior Men’s Home International title after the tournament ended in a three-way tie at Crowborough Beacon in Sussex, writes England Golf.
Scotland, England and Ireland had each won two of their three matches, but Scotland, as holders, kept the trophy.
Ireland closed with a 6.5-2.5 win over Wales with Denis Deasy and Tom Cleary halving their foursomes as Nigel Duke and John Mitchell and Adrian Morrow and Maurice Kelly won theirs to gib Ireland a 2.5 to 0.5 lead.
Ireland then won the first four singles through Kelly, Duke, Morrow and Cleary before defeats for Deasy and Mitchell.
“It was quite a surprise,” said playing captain David Gardner, whose team defeated England 5-4 in the final match. “We didn’t think we would win the tournament because we thought it was decided on goal difference. But it turned out that the holders retain.”
The team’s main aim on the last day was simply to beat England. “That was the big driving force. We played a few weeks ago and won and they would have wanted to get their revenge – they’ll have to wait till next year!” said Gardner.
His team lost the morning foursomes 2-1 and quickly lost the top singles to English senior champion Ian Attoe and another point to David Niven.
But Gardner led a determined charge by the Scots. He defeated Stephen East – last year’s Engish senior champion – and more points were added by Graham Bell, Ian Brotherston and, crucially, Lindsay Blair.
The Scot was all square with European senior champion Clive Jones as the pair played by 18th, but Blair managed to win the hole and his game. “That was a big, big result, it was the turning point that gave us a chance,” said Gardner.
