England halt Irish title run

Ireland were denied a fifth consecutive senior men’s Home International title at Southerndown on the south Wales coast yesterday by a much-improved England outfit.

England beat them 6-3 after taking all three foursomes and that meantIreland had to be content with the runners-up spot, while Scotland took third place despite being held to a 4.5-4.5 tie by Wales having secured more individual points over the three days.

From the moment the foursomes were a whitewash there was going to be only one outcome as the top two singles were always going England’s way, with neither former British Seniors Champion Arthur Pierse nor past Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey finding their best form.

John Ambridge was always in the driving seat against Pierse andeventually won 4&3 while McGimpsey fell behind early on against Andrew Stracey.

In all the other four matches Ireland were in front at some stage but managed only to win two matches and halve two more.

European Seniors champion Adrian Morrow and Michael Coote both triumphed out in the country while Maurice Kelly and John Mitchell halved their games.

Meanwhile, Helen Jones defied the windy conditions at Hunstanton on the Norfolk coast to move into a challenging position in the BritishSenior Women’s Championship.

The Irish Close champion fired a three-over-par 78 to grab second spot, just a stroke behind leader Rocio Ruiz de Velasco from Spain ahead of today’s final round.

Jones is on 157 after being one of the few players to break 80 and continue her remarkable season in which she has won the Close and was not far away in the Irish Open. Jones was, however, fuming at dropping strokes on two of the last three holes.

Donabate’s Pat Doran, runner-up last year, is four off the pace after a spirited 79 yesterday, including birdies on the final two holes.

A stroke further back is Sheena McElroy from Grange, who matched the par of 75 for a 161 total. Pauline Walsh of Headfort missed the cut.