Ireland produced a determined fight-back to secure a 4 1/2 4 1/2 tie against Scotland in the women's amateur home international golf series at Burnham and Berrow yesterday.
Having suffered an unfortunate 5 and 4 defeat against defending champions England the previous day, Ireland were determined to make amends.
But when they trailed in all six singles matches early on, the omens did not look good.
However, a revival sparked by Irish champion Lilian Behan was carried on by new caps Oonagh Purfield and Tricia Mangan.
Irish captain Jane Allen gave both their first taste of international action and they responded with winning points.
At the top of the order Behan had been three down after only six holes against Curtis cup player Alison Rose but recovered to win the match 2 and 1. Kerfield was two down early on against Scottish champion Elane Moffat before winning 4 and 3 while Mangan claimed the notable scalp of another Curtis cup player Hilary Monaghan by 2 and 1. Earlier in the day the foursomes had been shared 1 1/2-1 1/2 although Ireland were slightly unfortunate not to find themselves ahead going into the singles. They would have but for a long putt by Hazel Kavanagh which shaved the whole at the 18th. That forced her and Susy O'Brien to settle for a half against Rose and Monaghan.
England defeated Wales in yesterday's other match to remain firmly on course for a seventh consecutive title.
Ireland 4 1/2 Scotland 4 1/2 - Foursomes: L Behan and E Dowdall lost to A Laing and L Moffat 7 and 6; H Kavanagh and S O'Brien halved with A Rose and H Monaghan; A Coffey and M McGreevy bt E Black and V Laing 3 and 2; singles: Behan bt Rose 2 and 1; O'Brien lost to L Moffatt 3 and 2; Coffey lost to A Laing 3 and 2 ; O Purfield bt E Moffatt 4 and 3; T Mangan bt Monaghan 2 and 1; McGreevy lost to L Nicholson 5 and 3. England - 6 1/2, Wales - 2 1/2.
The Great Britain and Ireland team, smarting from a 4-0 whitewash in yesterday's morning foursomes, battled back to take the afternoon fourballs by an encouraging 3-1 margin on the second day of the PGA Cup in Colorado Springs.
But the overall score, 11 1/2 points to 4 1/2, means the Americans need only a win and a tie from the remaining 10 singles to retain the trophy.
The best quality play from the visitors came from the Scottish pairing of Russell Weir (Cowal) and Glasgow's John Greaves in their 3 and 1 win over Gene Fieger and Darrell Kestner.
PGA Cup Afternoon foursomes Day Two (US names first): J Overton & J Lankford lost to K Dickens & P Wesselingh 3 and 2; G Fieger & D Kestner lost to R Weir & J Greaves 3 and 1; C Tucker & B Gaus beat A George & S Bennett 3 and 1; R McDougal & M Mielke lost to P Simpson & B Rimmer 3 and 2.
Jimmy Heggarty is set to make up for his close call in the Ulster PGA Championship this week by landing top honours in the £11,000 Delgany pro-am tournament.
After the first round the Spawell touring pro is one stroke ahead of the field at three-under-par 66 with just one blot on his card - a three-putt at the 15th where he suffered bogey five.
Heggarty, second to Damian Mooney at Castle Hume, birdied the short fifth and eighth holes and then made eagle two at the 13th. A five wood off the tee at the fifth to three feet gave him his first two and he then got down from 40 feet at the fifth after a seven iron to the green. A massive drive at the 13th hole left him with just a 10 feet putt which he rolled home for his eagle two.
