Ireland with the Ladies’ Home Internationals Trophy at Burnham and Berrow. L-R: Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna), Laura Webb (Cairndhu) and Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown)

Ireland retained their Ladies’ Senior Home International despite falling to Scotland on the final day at Burnham & Berrow in Somerset.

Following victories over hosts England and Wales, Valerie Hassett’s side fell 4.5-3.5 to the Scots but despite finishing level on points with England and Scotland, the title was decided on match points and Ireland’s tally of 15 gave them back-to-back wins in the event as England and Scotland had just 13.5. 

Scores

Valerie Hassett’s Ireland team trailed Scotland 2-1 after the foursomes as Laura Webb (Cairndhu) and Carol Wickham (Laytown & Bettystown) thrashed Alison Davidson and Sheena Wood 5&4 in the top match.

However, there were defeats in the other two matches as Catherine Reilly (The Heath) and Suzanne Corcoran (Portumna) lost 2&1 against Elaine Moffat and Lorna McKinlay while Gertie McMullen (The Island) and Mary MacLaren (Wellingborough) lost by the same margin against Linda Allan and Frances Millar.

Wickham beat Gillian Kyle 2&1 in the singles as Webb beat Moffat.

But while MacLaren halved with Davidson, defeats for Reilly, 3&2 against Wood, and Corcoran, by two holes against McKinlay, meant they lost the final match but not their title.