Stunning win over Welsh sets up dramatic title shot

IRELAND produced a stunning performance to overwhelm Wales in the Amateur Home International series at Royal St Georges, Sandwich yesterday and give themselves a chance of capturing the title.

They powered their way to a 9-6 success and will today meet Scotland knowing that victory would almost certainly mean that the title is decided on a countback of individual points secured.

Scotland achieved one of the major upsets of recent years by thrashing England, the defending champions and reigning European title-holders 11.5-3.5 which means there is a fascinating final day in prospect today with all to play for - each country has one win to their credit.

Having been well beaten by England on the opening day Ireland went into action against Wales, first day conquerors of the Scots, in determined mood.

The foursomes were closely fought with the Irish just having the lunchtime edge 3-2 following an intense morning.

At the top of the order Rhys Davies and Zac Gould were involved in a nerve-tingling clash with Irish champion Rory McIlroy and Sean McTernan. It was level pegging most of the way but the men in green seized the initiative late on.

Square with three holes to play McIlroy and McTernan birdied both the 15th and 16th to go dormy two and halves at the next meant a two and one success.

Amateur Champion Brian McElhinney and Michael McGeedy always held sway against James Williams and Tim Dykes after the Irish pair won six holes in a row from the fourth, the last three with birdies.

Walker Cup man Nigel Edwards and Aberdare’s 2004 Welsh champion Ryan Thomas stopped the Welsh rot by beating Gareth Shaw and Aaron O’Callaghan by three and two but the Irish made sure they would lunch with a lead when Pat Murray and Cian McNamara got the better of Llewellyn Matthews and Cennydd Mills two and one.

In the bottom match the experienced Welsh pair of Craig Evans, the re-instated amateur, and Craig Smith beat Richard KilPatrick and Connor Doran 2 and 1.

In the singles Dunmurry’s Darren Crowe led the way for Ireland as he recorded one of the biggest wins in the history of the home internationals.

Crowe hammered James Williams by 9 and 8, winning nine holes on the trot from the second.

The Irishman did not have to play out of his skin as Williams took 41 to the turn.

Meanwhile, at the top of the order the brilliant Rhys Davies was putting McElhinney to the sword. Producing some first class golf Davies was three up at the turn, won two of the next three holes to go five ahead and wrapped things up at the 14th by 6 and 4.

Holyrood’s teenage whiz-kid McIlroy put Walker Cup man Nigel Edwards in his place winning 4 and 3 with some excellent golf.

Zac Gould continued his rich vein of form when he beat Connor Doran by 4&3 having led most of the way. Gould, 17, was two up early on, three up at the turn and in the end a comfortable winner.

McTernan won the last hole to halve with Dykes but Gareth Shaw went down on the last to Ryan Thomas while crucially Cian McNamara and Richard Kilpatrick chalked up two and one triumphs against Craig Evans and Craig Smith respectively.