Swede start made by Dunbar

ALAN DUNBAR stepped up his bid for a place in the Walker Cup team to face the Americans at Aberdeen next month when he fired a splendid opening 68 — four under par — in the European Amateur Individual Championship in Sweden yesterday.

His score compiled over the Halmstad course was bettered only by two players — England’s Steven Browne and Frenchman Gary Stal — in the 144-strong field.

Browne, runner-up in the English Amateur Championship on Saturday had four birdies in the last six holes for a sensational 65 while Stal posted 66.

Dunbar, the 2010 Irish amateur champion and runner-up this year in the West of Ireland Championship went out in level par 36 and then birdied four of the first five holes after the turn before producing a par finish to come home in 32 for a superb 68.

Ballymena teenager Dermot McElroy posted a highly creditable 69 with halves of 38 and 31, the best inward half score of any player.

McElroy had four birdies in the last five holes.

Portstewart’s Walker Cup hopeful Paul Cutler struck form on the homeward half to post a back nine 33 for a three under par 69 to keep himself well in contention.

Richard O’Donovan added a 33 to an outward 37 to record a notable 70.

Meanwhile Ireland made a sensational start to their bid for the Stroyan Cup in the Girls Home Internationals at Gullane, near Edinburgh yesterday when they swept to victory over hosts Scotland.

This marvellous result was sweet revenge for their 5.5-3.5 reverse suffered at Bangor in Northern Ireland last year.

Castletroy’s Chloe Ryan gave an outstanding display winning both her matches, first in the foursomes with Sinead Sexton and then in the singles.

Muskerry’s Jean O’Driscoll was also extremely impressive in overwhelming Lesley Atkins by 4&3.

Today Ireland face Wales who yesterday beat reigning champions England 5-4 after losing the foursomes 2-1. Last year Wales were whitewashed 9-0 by the English.

Ireland suffered a blow to their hopes of notching back-to-back Boys Home International title triumphs when they crashed to a shock 9.5-5.5 defeat at the hands of Scotland at Royal St David’s, Harlech yesterday.

But all is not lost as if Ireland defeat England today (who beat hosts Wales yesterday) then it would all come down to a countback of individual games won.

Kieran Lynch, Enda Craddock and William Russell secured points for Ireland but this was not sufficient.