WALES AND SCOTLAND CRASH BUT ENGLAND EASE THROUGH
Both Wales and Scotland, two of the top three qualifiers,
slipped to a shock quarter-final defeats on a topsy-turvy
third day in the European Men’s Team Championships at
Hillside, Southport.
Wales went down 4-3 to Switzerland, while the Scots crashed
by the same score to Germany. But England eased through 5-2
against Italy.
The Welsh, who qualified second to England, had high hopes
of securing their first title since 1993. Now they can’t
finish better than fifth.
After sharing the two foursomes, Rhys Davies won the top
singles but defeats for James Williams, Gareth Wright and
Tim Dykes sealed Wales fate.
Welsh captain Jeff Toye’s reaction was understandable.
“We feel completely deflated,” he said. “They
played us off the course. Their putting was tremendous and
now we have to pick ourselves up because the championship
isn’t over.”
Swiss national coach, Englishman Graham Kaye, was predictably
upbeat. “We didn’t come here for a holiday. We
came for a result,” he said. Kaye, who was born in Kent
but has lived in Switzerland for 22 years, added: “It
was a tremendous win for us and just about all our players
were under par.” Martin Rominger from the Swiss team
is pictured left.
The Scottish defeat was even more astonishing as they won
both the foursomes. But the singles proved a different kettle
of fish with only Andrew McArthur emerging triumphant. At
one stage the Scots weren’t behind in any contest but
it soon turned against them.
George Crawford, the Scottish skipper, hid his disappointment
by remarking: “It was a game of fractions. Lloyd Saltman’s
putt to win the match missed by a whisker. It was that close.
But I still feel we have a talented team that will learn a
lot from this.”
Like the Scots, England won both foursomes although Matthew
Richardson and Gary Wolstenholme were taken to the 19th before
gaining their victory.
Richardson then romped to a 6 and 5 victory over Simone Brizzolari
and it was left to Wolstenholme to secure the victory when
he beat Matteo Del Podio 3 and 2.
In today’s (Friday) matches, England will meet France
and Germany take on Switzerland. In the other matches, Scotland
play Wales and Italy meet Spain.
|