Irish duo on song as hosts boost title hopes

IRISH stars Jonathan Caldwell and Shane Lowry played a key role in helping Great Britain and Ireland establish a comfortable first-day advantage against the Continent of Europe in the St Andrews Trophy match at Kingsbarns yesterday.

Seeking their fifth consecutive success in the biennial contest, the hosts are 7½-4½ ahead at the halfway stage, requiring only another 4½ points from the 12 available today to retain the trophy.

Walker Cup man Caldwell from Clandeboye and Lowry of Esker Hills recorded excellent foursomes wins and then Lowry battled to an honourable share of the spoils with new European champion Stephen Gross in the singles while Caldwell went down 3&1 to Alexandre Kaleka.