Ireland fall again at Boys Home Internationals
Ballyliffin Golf Club
Ireland fell 9-6 to defending champions Scotland who will play England on the final day for the Boys Home Internationals title at Ballyliffin.
Scott Knowles’ Scotland side played hosts Ireland and came through the foursomes with a 3-2 lead before taking the singles 6-4 for a 9-6 victory overall.
England were always favourites against Wales, who gave a good account of themselves despite losing 10-5.
Scotland won both the sessions against Ireland and one of their leading players, Jamie Stewart from Old Ranfurly, remains the only player to have played all four matches and retain a 100 per cent record.
He teamed up with Scottish Boys champion Eric McIntosh in the top foursomes match to defeat Thomas Mulligan and Ross Kelly, 3&2. In the afternoon singles he and Mulligan met again. Despite Mulligan struggling to keep pace with Stewart all day, the Irishman won three consecutive holes from the 15th to go down 18 all-square.
However, it was a bridge too far as the Scot splashed out of the greenside bunker to make par and Mulligan failed to get up and down to lose by one-hole.
There were other convincing Scottish wins, not least Darren Howie’s 7&6 triumph over Andrew Mulhall in the bottom match. New recruit Ben Ferguson won 3&2 against John Brady, while Sam Locke denied Alan Fahy by 4&3.
Rory Franssen’s one-hole win over Ross Kelly in the fourth match ensured Scotland’s victory, while Graeme Greer and Michael Lawrie also added to the tally with their halved matches against Marc McKinstry and Cameron Raymond.
England’s undefeated passage has also been relatively smooth after coming through the foursomes 3.5-1.5 before sealing victory against Wales by winning the singles 6.5-3.5.
