Championships - Home International Matches 2010
« Back to news indexNews for this championship
02.09.2010
Wales bids for Hat-trick in Home International Matches
Wales will be bidding to extend its entry in the Ladies’ Golf Union record books when the Home International Matches are played at Whitchurch Golf Club, Cardiff next week (September 8 to 10).Wales had never won the title until the 1999 matches at Royal Dornoch. Now they have won the last two series – at Wrexham, North Wales in 2008 and at Irvine in Scotland last year.
It has been a splendid achievement with a comparatively small pool of players in comparison with England, Scotland and Ireland.
The Welsh team, again captained by Sue Turner, shows one change from the winning squad of 12 months ago. Rhian Wyn Thomas has since turned professional and her place goes to Rebecca Harries (Haverfordwest).
Only three players have been members of the winning Welsh squad of 2008 and 2009 - Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu), Tara Davies (Holyhead) and Lucy Gould (Bargoed).
Last year, Wales beat England 7-2, drew with Ireland 4 ½-4 ½ and then beat Scotland 6-3.
Scotland, who had beaten Ireland 5-4 and England 5 ½-3 ½ , needed only a draw in their final match against Wales and were in a winning position until the final hour of play when Wales rallied to snatch victory and the Miller Trophy from the jaws of defeat.
Scotland have the same team captain, Lesley Nicholson, and a team with two changes needed to fill the gaps left by Carly Booth and Kylie Walker who have turned professional.
Teenager Rachael Watton (Mortonhall), who played for Scotland in the Girls’ Home International Matches at Bangor Golf Club, Northern Ireland last month, gets her first cap at this level.
Martine Pow (Selkirk), winner of the Scottish Women’s title in 2006 and a former British Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion, is recalled to add experience to the line-up.
Scotland has not won the Miller Trophy since the International Matches were played at Aberdovey in 1991.
The England team, with Chris Williamson as Captain, shows three changes from last year. Charley Hull (Woburn), only 14 years of age, and another teenager, Hayley Davis (Ferndown), winner of the English Women’s Championship this year, and Tara Watters (Muswell Hill), twice beaten finalist in the English Championship, are all new caps at this level. Hayley played in the Girls’ Internationals last month.
England is by far the most successful country in the Home Internationals series. They completed a hat-trick of successes between 2005 and 2007, winning at Dundalk, Frilford Heath and Dunbar.
Claire Robinson captains an Irish team showing four changes since 2009. The talented Curtis Cup twins, 15-year-old Leona and Lisa Maguire, come into the line-up along with Louise Coffey (Malone) and Sinead O’Sullivan (Galway).
ENGLAND
Captain – Chris Williamson.
Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Hayley Davis (Ferndown), Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall), Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton), Nikki Foster (Pleasington), Charley Hull (Woburn), Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), Tara Watters (Muswell Hill).
IRELAND
Captain – Claire Robinson.
Louise Coffey (Malone), Mary Dowling (New Ross), Leona Maguire (Slieve Russell), Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), Danielle McVeigh (Royal Co Down Ladies), Gillian O’Leary (Cork), Sinead O’Sullivan (Galway), Charlene Reid (Royal Portrush).
SCOTLAND
Captain – Lesley Nicholson.
Megan Briggs (Kilmacolm), Louise Kenney (Pitreavie), Kelsey McDonald (Nairn Dunbar), Laura Murray (Alford), Martine Pow (Selkirk), Pamela Pretswell (Bothwell Castle), Jane Turner (Craigielaw), Rachael Watton (Mortonhall).
WALES
Captain – Sue Turner.
Samantha Birks (Wolstanton), Amy Boulden (Llandudno Maesdu), Gemma Bradbury (Cottrell Park), Katie Bradbury (Cottrell Park), Tara Davies (Holyhead), Lucy Gould (Bargoed), Rebecca Harries (Haverfordwest), Katherine O’Connor (Tadmarton Heath).
PROGRAMME
Each match consists of three foursomes and six singles played over 18 holes.
Wednesday 8th September - Day 1
8.30am & 1.10pm: Ireland v England
9.00am & 2.10pm: Wales v Scotland
Thursday 9th September - Day 2
8.30am & 1.10pm: Scotland v England
9.00am & 2.10pm: Wales v Ireland
Friday 10th September - Day 3
8.30am & 1.10pm: England v Wales
9.00am & 2.10pm: Ireland v Scotland
Presentation of trophy at 6.45pm approx.
Spectators are welcome and admission and car parking is free.
Do you have comments or questions about the LGU?
LGU legal disclaimer | Privacy statement | Copyright © 2012 - Ladies' Golf Union
Ladies' Golf Union, The Scores, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AT
Tel: 01334 475811, Fax: 01334 472818