Maguires find stunning form but Europe in the driving seat

THE amazing Maguire twins made sensational debuts for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe in Hamburg yesterday. However, they could not prevent their team from trailing at the halfway stage.

Leona and Lisa, the sisters from Slieve Russell in County Cavan, who at 14 are the youngest ever to play in this biennial fixture, went through the day undefeated.

But still GB & Ireland face an uphill task to regain the Trophy lost two years ago at Fairmont St Andrews as they trail 7½-4½ going into the second day, with another 12 points at stake.

Paired together in the foursomes, the Maguires came from behind to beat Marion Ricordeau and Laura Gonzalez-Escallon on the home green.

It was a truly magnificent display. The Irish starlets were three down at the turn but they moved into top gear to demolish their opponents over the homeward stretch.

They won the 11th, 14th and 15th to square the match and a stunning birdie three on the home hole gave them victory and brought the team’s first point. The Maguires came home in a blistering two under par 33.

Royal County Down’s Danielle McVeigh and Welsh international Rhian Wyn Thomas played Carline Hedwall and Marieke Nivard and went down 2&1 after a terrific battle during which they were all square at the turn.

Europe led 2½-1½ after the morning foursomes. Heavy rain forced play to be suspended for two hours but that could not stop the European charge.

English strokeplay champion Jodi Ewart and Scotland’s Kylie Walker both lost their matches but Leona Maguire stopped the rot although after being three up, she had to go to the last to edge Lucie Andre.

Sister Lisa was also three up against Caroline Masson but eventually had to settle for a half. She lost 13,14 and 15 to birdies and had to halve the last three to salvage a half.

McVeigh was one down at the turn to Marieke Nivard but then lost three more holes to lose 4&2.

Although GB & Ireland face a tough task captain Mary McKenna was still upbeat last night. “There are 12 points to play for and we will be in there fighting tomorrow,” said McKenna.

Continent of Europe 7½, GB and Ireland 4½

Foursomes (2½-1½): Pia Halbig (Ger) & Caroline Masson (Ger) halved with Jodi Ewart (Eng) & Rachel Jennings (Eng); Rosanna Crepiat (Fra) & Lucie Andre (Fra) bt Pamela Pretswell (Sco) & Sally Watson (Sco) 5&3; Marion Ricordeau (Fra) & Laura Gonzalez-Escallon (Bel) lost to Lisa Maguire (Ire) & Leona Maguire (Ire) 1 hole; Caroline Hedwall (Swe) & Marieke Nivard (Net) bt Danielle McVeigh (NIr) & RW Thomas (Wal) 2&1.

Singles (5-3): Halbig bt Ewart 1 hole; Gonzalez-Escallon halved with Jennings; Ricordeau bt Kylie Walker (Sco) 1 hole; Andre lost to Leona Maguire 1 hole; Adriana Zwanck (Spa) lost to Whomas 3 and 1; Masson halved with Lisa Maguire; Nivard bt McVeigh 4 and 2; Hedwall bt Watson 5 and 4.