Great Britain & Ireland regained the Vagliano Trophy they last won in 1993 in dramatic fashion against the Continent of Europe at Co Louth Golf Club, Baltray on Saturday. The two-day international went down to the final green in a tension filled last day singles.

The GB&I side needed just two points from the final series of eight singles after winning the foursomes 2½ to 1½ to stretch their lead to five points.

But as the drama unfolded in the afternoon they found themselves, at one stage, up in only one match and level in another as the Europe side staged a dramatic recovery.

As the matches moved down the back nine only Becky Brewerton in the top match looked a likely winner, against Lisa Holm Sorensen.

Brewerton won the fifth, eighth, ninth and 10th to go four up.

Sorensen stopped the rot by winning the 11th and 15th but halves at the 16th and 17th were enough see Brewerton home by 2 and 1. Emma Duggleby grabbed a half against Sopie Giquel and now BG&I needed just a half to lift the trophy.

Howver, the next five matches all went to Europe with Ireland's Tricia Mangan putting up a brave fight before losing 2 and 1 to Dewi Claire Schreefel.

And so it was all down to England's Danielle Masters in the last match against Tania Elosegui. With GB&I leading 12-11 and this the only match left on the course, a huge gallery followed the closing holes.

The 16th and 17th were halved in par, Masters holing from four feet. At the par-five 18th, Masters was home in two while the Spaniard was in a greenside bunker in two. And after Elosegui blasted out to 10 feet Masters putted up to within inches of the hole for the decisive half point.