England beat Ireland 6-3 in girls' internationals

The team trailed 2-1 after the morning foursomes but won five of the six singles and the praise of their captain, Julie Brown.

They played so well, they were just fantastic, she said. They were very determined this afternoon, they were just up for it.

It was their short game which won the match. Shot for shot these girls are all the same, but the chipping and putting of our team was excellent and they holed some great putts.

They were just a bit slow out of the blocks in the morning, unfortunately.

In the foursomes it was Kelly Tidy and Alex Peters (pictured) who salvaged a vital point with an impressive comeback. They were four down after seven but didn t lose another hole and eventually got ahead after 16. They also won the 17th for a 2/1 victory.

In the afternoon Alex won on the 16th, as did Rachel Connor and both dominated their matches. Alex lost only one hole to her opponent and Rachel conceded just two.

Meanwhile Kelly Tidy, Heidi Baek and Holly Clyburn were all taken to the18th before claiming 1up victories. Kelly made a superb birdie three, Heidi had a spectacular four with a glorious pitch and Holly, who had just missed the green, played a fantastic shot which looked in all the way and was a gimmee, said Julie.

English champion Hannah Barwood had a tight tussle with Ireland s Lisa Maguire before losing on the 17th.

In the day s other match Scotland beat Wales 5-4. Tomorrow, England play Scotland.

England result Foursomes

Hannah Barwood (Knowle) & Holly Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) lost to Lisa Maguire & Leona Maguire 1 down.

Rachel Connor (Manchester) & Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) lost to Stephanie Meadow & Sarah Louise 3/1.

Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale) & Alex Peters (Notts Ladies) beat Sarah Cunningham & Emma O'driscoll 2/1.

Singles

Barwood lost to Lisa Maguire 2/1

Clyburn beat Leona Maguire 1up

Tidy beat Patrice Delaney 1up

Baek beat O'driscoll 1 up

Peters beat Cunningham 3/2.

Connor beat Meadow 4/2.

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