Ireland, runners-up for the past two years, are in pole position after the first day of the women's Amateur Home Internationals at Royal Dornoch.

Their hard earned 5-4 victory over Scotland puts them clear after defending Champions England were surprisingly held to a 41/2 41/2 tie by new-look Wales. Today it is Ireland's turn to take on the Welsh. Ireland made the best possible start by winning all three foursomes which meant they required only two points from the afternoon's singles to open their account. And it's just as well as they were forced to survive an afternoon charge by the Scots. The crucial point was secured by 32-year-old Suzanne O'Brien, a near certainty for next years' Curtis Cup side. She edged home on the final green against fellow Vagliano trophy player Lesley Nicholson.

It was neck and neck for most of the way Nicholson found bunker trouble on the l7th which allowed O'Brien to grab the lead and she held on at the last for victory in the last match. Cork's l9-year-old, Irish Champion, Claire Coughlan had already given a convincing performance to see off her Scottish counterpart Jane Smith by 6 and 5. All four other singles points went to Scotland who today take on England. O'Brien had opened the Championship in partnership with Elaine Dowdall and they had seen off Nicholson and Heather Stirling by 5 and 4.