England U-16s regained the bragging rights over their Irish counterparts thanks to a thumping 21.5-8.5 victory at Royal Birkdale last night.
FORMAT: Two-day team matchplay
The 12-strong home side, led by coaches Janet Melville and Nick Over, won all three sessions convincingly.
Due to Covid-related travel restrictions, the two-day event was played for the first time in three years with Ireland having won at Hunstanton in 2019.
However straight from the off England dominated, winning all bar one of the opening six foursomes and by the end of day one they led 14-4.
It meant they just needed 1.5 points yesterday but ended up with 7.5 with the girls, again, especially dominant.
Norfolk duo Chloe Tarbard (Royal Norwich) and Nellie Ong (Eaton) plus Surrey’s Matilde Santilli (Foxhills) and Cheshire’s Imogen Williamson (Delamere Forest) ended up gaining maximum points across the weekend while Kris Kim (Walton Heath) also gained three points for his team.
Melville, who was involved in selecting the side that narrowly lost the Junior Vagliano Trophy, was delighted with effort and attitude of the girls.
“They played really well and were brilliant all week,” said the former British Amateur champion.
“Ireland put up a good fight yesterday (Sunday) but I just think we had the strength in depth.”
Over was also really impressed with the standard of play, especially with four of the squad being eligible next year.
“They performed really well. Ireland brought a strong team and we had quite a young side with four U-15s in our ranks.”
Despite the breezy conditions on the Lancashire coast, some of the golf played was outstanding, especially in the clash on Saturday between in-form Charlie Croker and Irish sensation Sean Keeling, who, earlier this year, won the Open Local Qualifier at County Louth thanks to a 65 (-7).
The Essex teenager, a recent winner of the England Boys County Champion of Champions, was well under par as he closed out a two-hole victory while former England U-14s champion Kim was also in brilliant form as he beat Munster U-16s champion Jack Murphy 6&5 yesterday.