Irish women make winning start

IRELAND’S bid to win the Women’s Senior Home International Championship for the first time since it was inaugurated in 2003 got off to a good start yesterday as they beat last year’s wooden spoonists Scotland 5-3 at Tramore.

But there was a tense final hour as Strabane’s Helen Jones, in the deciding game against Mary Smith, stumbled somewhat on the closing stretch. Jones was four up with seven to play and appeared to be coasting before losing a succession of holes. She needed to pull out all the stops on the last hole to scrape a victory that saw the Irish home.

There were no problems for Pat Doran, runner-up the last two years in the British seniors championship, as she raced to a 9&7 demolition of Alex Glennie, having lined up in the morning with Jones for a foursomes success. Ireland led 2-1 at lunch before wins by Sheena McElroy, Doran and Jones gave them the opening day victory.

Today, Ireland face champions England, who humbled Wales 8-0 yesterday.