ENGLAND REGAIN HOME INTERNATIONALS TITLE
 England
(pictured left - photo courtesy of EGU) regained the Raymond
Trophy when they won the Home Internationals by beating holders
Scotland at County Louth Golf Club at Baltray in Ireland.
The victory follows the capture of the R&A Trophy in
the Boys Home Internationals in Wales last month and leaves
the England seniors to complete a hat-trick in their Home
Internationals at Caldy Golf Club at the start of next month.
Despite fielding seven new caps, England started with a tie
against Wales then beat Ireland 8.5-6.5 to set up a decider
with the Scots who had tied with the Irish and beaten Wales.
England edged ahead in the foursomes, winning 3-1 with one
match halved.
However, the singles proved anything but easy and the outcome
was always in the balance. Scotland bounced back with wins
in the top three matches including defeats for English champion
Daniel Willett and British Mid Amateur champion Matthew Cryer.
But Gary Wolstenholme and Ben Parker aided England’s
cause with close victories while Charlie Ford waded in with
a half.
That left England 6-5 ahead and although Sam Hutsby was beaten,
Gary Boyd and new caps Chris Wood and Dale Whitnell came up
with victories to see England to a 9-6 triumph.
In the final analysis, Ben Evans and Whitnell each scored
five points from six matches, while Wolstenholme scored 4.5
and Gary Boyd, Cryer and Parker four apiece.
It was England’s first victory in the event since 2004
while Ireland finished second on countback over Scotland with
Wales fourth.
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