France move into lead in Nations Cup

A superb round of 65, seven under par, gave France a two-shot lead heading into the final day of the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup in Spain.

Gwladys Nocera and Anne-Lise Caudal combined for a 54-hole total of 16 under following Saturday’s fourballs in Alicante.

Holland’s Christel Boeljon and Marjet Van der Graaff are their nearest challengers after a 66 with Australians Nikki Garrett and Joanne Mills another stroke adrift after a 65.

Third round leaders Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon from the United States shot 73 to fall six shots off the pace.

“We are offensive players and when we start making birdies, we just want to make more,” said Nocera, who topped the money list on the Ladies European Tour in 2008.

“We are doing a match between us to see who can make more birdies. It was fun and it was hard.”

The USA’s putting woes started at the first when Mallon missed a short birdie putt and ended up with a bogey.

Daniel said: “It was actually embarrassing. I am embarrassed how I played today.”

Defending champions England (68) are nine shots off the lead with Wales and Ireland (both 69) two shots further back and Scotland 17 shots off the pace after a disappointing 72.