Frustration for Irish as early challenge fades against England

IRELAND’S women golfers were fuming last night at throwing away a golden opportunity to open their Home International campaign at Frilford Heath in Oxfordshire with a victory over champions England.

They established a strong position early on in two of the three foursomes but disaster struck particularly in the middle section of this parkland course and in the end they went into lunch trailing 2½-½ and with very little chance of overhauling their rivals.

Ireland shared the singles but slipped to an overall 5½-3½ reverse.