ENGLAND BEATEN BY SINGLE POINT IN ASHES BID
 England’s
hopes of gaining revenge for last year’s 11-4 defeat
were dashed when Australia hung on for their second Ashes
victory by 13-12 in a contest that went right down to the
wire over The Open Course at Moonah Links in Victoria.
In a strengthening breeze and cooler temperatures than day
one, England turned their overnight deficit into a convincing
lead, taking 4½ points from the first 5 matches on
the course.
However, they were unable to find the other two points needed
for victory from the five remaining matches and the winning
putt from Dale Whitnell in the final match with Scott Arnold
served only as a consolation.
Once again, the Australian women failed to record a singles
victory as the English top order ripped through the opening
exchanges. Only a final hole birdie from Aussie Steph Na against
Liz Bennett prevented a clean sweep and in the end it was
to prove the decisive match as once again the English men
went down 4-2.
Daniel Willett turned round a late deficit against Dan Beckmann
to record his first point of the match and Whitnell dominated
throughout against Arnold but the remaining players couldn’t
find the half point needed to force a tie.
Chris Wood and Sam Hutsby fought bravely from almost certain
losing positions but both narrowly failed to complete their
comebacks and take their matches down the 18th hole.
England Team Manager Stephen Burnett said: “In the
end it was the right overall result. The Australian men outperformed
our players today and deserved their victory. Our women deserve
great credit for their performances. They completely outplayed
their opponents for the most part but unfortunately we fell
just short in supporting them to cross the finishing line.”
Australian Team Manager Phil Wood said, “It was a great
match played in the right spirit. The standard of golf from
both teams was phenomenal and the players deserve enormous
credit for putting on such a show.”
The England team (pictured, photo courtesy of the EGU) now
go forward to next week’s Australian Amateur Championship
with the next Ashes match scheduled for Royal Birkdale in
2009.
Day 2 Results (English names first):
Florentyna Parker bt Julia Boland 6&4
Liz Bennett halved with Steph Na
Kerry Smith bt Kristie Smith 3&2
Rachel Jennings bt Clare Choi 6&5
Daniel Willett bt Dan Beckmann 1 hole
Steve Uzzell lost to Tim Stewart 5&3
Chris Wood lost to Rohan Blizard 3&1
Sam Hutsby lost to Matt Jager 2&1
Neil Chaudhuri lost to Matt Griffin 3&2
Dale Whitnell bt Scott Arnold 2&1
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