Super sixth win for England’s girls
11th August 2013England are Girls' Home International champions again – winning the Stroyan Cup for the sixth year in a row.
They achieved their success at St Annes Old Links, Lancashire, despite a final day defeat by Ireland.
Scotland, the only team which could have caught them, also lost on the last day to Wales – meaning England’s earlier wins over Wales and Scotland were enough to retain the title.
“A win is always good,” said England team captain Chris Pascall. “Only two of the girls had played Home Internationals before so they really did very well.”
Gabriella Cowley (Brocket Hall) and Olivia Winning (Rotherham) were both in last year's winning team. This year's successful side was completed by Annabel Dimmock (Wentworth), Sammy Fuller (Roehampton), Alice Hewson (Berkhamsted), Sophie Keech (Parkstone), Sophie Lamb (Clitheroe) and Sophie Madden (West Essex).
On the first day, England beat Wales 7-2, losing only one match all day. In the foursomes they won one game and halved two, while in the afternoon they won five of the six singles.
On the second day, they beat the Scots 5½-3½ after staging an impressive comeback. They had managed only a half point from the three morning foursomes, but that result gave the team momentum and again they won five of the six singles.
In the final day's match, England and Ireland were level pegging after the morning foursomes with 1½ points apiece. In the singles England managed 2½ points, losing overall by the narrow margin of 5-4.
Ireland and Wales both finished with the week with 1½pt each. On a countback of individual games won, Ireland had the edge (13½ to 11½) and that won them the Swansea Spoon as runners-up. Scotland finished last with 1pt.
HOW THEY FINISHED
1 England 2 pt
2 Ireland 1½ pt (+13½ individual games won)
3 Wales 1½ pt (+11½ individual games won)
4 Scotland 1pt.
Next year's Girls' Home Internationals will be hosted by Donabate Golf Club, near Dublin from August 6 to 8
Caption: The winning England team with the Stroyan Cup. Back row, from left: Sammy Fuller, Alice Hewson, captain Chris Pascall, Gabriella Cowley and Sophie Lamb. Front row, from left: Olivia Winning, Sophie Keech, Sophie Madden and Annabel Dimmock.