28th August: It’s a breeze as England regains Home Internationals

The Raymond Trophy is back in English hands. After a day of gale force winds and occasional heavy showers, England won the Home Internationals thanks to a 10.5 – 4.5 victory over Wales, while Scotland beat Ireland 12-3 to secure second spot.

England sowed the seeds for their triumph with a two point cushion from the foursomes, the first time they have won the series in three attempts. And they stormed home in the singles, winning seven of the ten matches.

“I’m ecstatic,” said a delighted England captain Colin Edwards. “To beat Wales like that was special and to complete three wins in the week caps it off. To win the Home Internationals as a player and as captain is also special. Considering the conditions which were horrendous, the boys played some magnificent golf and battled hard. I’m glad I wasn’t playing.

“Also to win here is special. Hillside is a magnificent course; I won the Brabazon Trophy here a few years ago so this makes it an even more special place for me.”

England held the title two years ago, winning in County Louth but Hillside is certainly a happy hunting ground after the European crown was secured there in 2005 and they also beat Australia in the Ashes match on the neighbouring Royal Birkdale back in May this year.

On a day of unrelenting winds which called for cool heads and a solid stance, England soon built on that foursomes lead as Matt Haines took 13 holes to beat Welsh Champion Luke Thomas 6 and 5, Haines being three under par at the conclusion.

Former Walker Cup man Nigel Edwards was involved in a titanic battle with new Walker Cup selection Dale Whitnell which saw both players holding the lead at different times. But it was Edwards’ experience that paid off in the end with a 2 and 1 victory.

There was also a fine Welsh win for James Frazer by 5 and 4 over Farren Keenan but such was England’s form that only one match came to the final green where Rhys Enoch beat Lytham Trophy winner James Robinson by the narrowest of margins.

Otherwise the England players were in command with Chris Paisley, Tommy Fleetwood and Stiggy Hodgson claiming 5 and 4 wins, Jamie Abbott and Luke Goddard got home 4 and 3, while Sam Hutsby claimed his point 3 and 2.

The Scots began the day with a slim chance of the title but knowing their fate lay in England’s hands. Nevertheless, they romped through the foursomes 4-1 over Ireland and then took seven of the ten singles.

It was a proud Scottish captain Scott Knowles who said: “The boys supported the cause magnificently in difficult conditions. We wanted to win as many matches as possible to put pressure on England but it wasn’t really in our control.  England are worthy winners and played to a high standard. They did the business against us on the first day and they have a magnificent team with seven Walker Cup players.

“But I’m proud of our efforts on my first Home Internationals as captain. It’s been a great week and things look good for us for next year when we should have a strong team again.”

David Law, the Scottish Champion, underlined the tartan resolve when he came back from 2-down through 12 holes to win the next five and beat Alan Dunbar, Ireland’s most successful player of the week, 3 and 1.

Wallace Booth led all the way to overcome Niall Kearney, his Walker Cup colleague, 4 and 3 while James Byrne proved the Scots best player with five wins and a half after beating Simon Ward 3 and 2.

But to Ireland’s credit, five matches went to the 18th green, Ireland winning one through Dara Lernihan and two being halved.

In the end it meant the Irish went away with the wooden spoon after three defeats while Wales claimed third place thanks to their win over the Irish.