England claimed a hat trick of titles in the Home Internationals at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club in South Wales with triumph in the mixed-team format introduced last year and also victory in the women’s and men’s events.
It was a dominant performance capped by a 12½-8½ victory over Ireland in the final match to complete a third success of the week. The two teams had set up the winner-takes-all clash as each beat Scotland and Wales earlier in the week on the Jack Nicklaus-designed modern links near Llanelli.
As the final day’s morning foursomes came to a close, England led 4-2 with the last match of the session tied. Englishman Charlie Crockett then hit a 7-iron approach to the final green to just 18 inches for a conceded eagle that won the hole and the match, opening a three-point advantage that proved vital in an afternoon of nip-and-tuck singles action.
“One of the finest shots I’ve ever seen,” England non-playing captain Gareth Jenkins said. “It made it easier for us in the afternoon and gave us a nice cushion.”
“It was always going to be a battle against Ireland, but I’m just so pleased we got it over the line. "
Rebecca Hembrough
Stars of the show for the winners were the Rhodes sisters. Patience Rhodes won all five of her matches throughout the week, including all three foursomes matches played with her sister, Euphemie.
“We got off to a strong start in the singles, then it got tighter and tighter,” England women’s manager Rebecca Hembrough said. “It was always going to be a battle against Ireland, but I’m just so pleased we got it over the line. The Rhodes sisters were fantastic, and Patience had a perfect week. But we got great performances throughout the team. Everybody contributed to a massive team effort.”
It was, however, a poor week for the hosts. Wales was defeated by Scotland on the final day to finish bottom of the table with no points.
Meanwhile, in the Girls’ and Boys’ Internationals at Lindrick Golf Club in Yorkshire, England went unbeaten against all three opponents in retaining the title that it won last year in Scotland. The home team defeated Scotland, 17-4, and Wales, 15-6, to set up the perfect finale against the Irish, who had also opened their campaign with two wins.
A 13-8 result in favour of the English confirmed their triumph in the combined event. They also won the girls’ section, but the Irish had some consolation in the form of a first victory in the boys’ tournament since 2013. Frazer Jones, Nellie Ong, Amelia Wan and Lili Rose Hunt were the stars of the show, with each ending the week with six wins in as many matches.
WOMEN’S AND MEN’S RESULTS / GIRLS’ AND BOYS’ RESULTS
Matt Cooper