SCOTLAND v ENGLAND FINAL IN SENIOR


 WOMEN'S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP


Scotland are through to the final of the European senior women's amateur team golf championship at Sporting Club Berlin.
The team of over-50s, captained by Pamela Williamson (Baberton), beat Ireland 3-2 in the semi-finals today (Friday) to assure themselves of gaining at least the silver medals.
But the Scots are playing so well they will be fancying their chance of striking gold against the No 1 seeds and favourites England who beat Switzerland 3 1/2-1 1/2 in the other semi-final.
Mary Smith (Tain) and Moira Thomson (Gullane Ladies) again set the ball rolling for the Scots by winning the one foursomes tie. They beat Phil O'Gorman and Violet McBride 3 and 2.
St Andrews hotelier Fiona de Vries (St Rule) made it 2-0 for Scotland by beating Valerie Hassett 3 and 1.
Lorna Bennett (Ladybank) lost by 2 and 1 to Pat Doran, which kept the door open for an Ireland recovery.
But Alyth's Heather Anderson closed it firmly with a 2 and 1 win over Sheena McElroy which gave Scotland a winning lead of 3-2.
Anne Ryan (Tain) lost the final singles by 4 and 3 to Helen Jones.
England took a grip on the outcome of their semi-final against Switzerland by winning the first three ties. Their foursomes pairing of Janet Melville and Felicity Christine had to go to the 18th green but they came off that with a one-hole win over Irene Meier-Boehm and Petra Muller Kronenberg.
Caroline Marron made it 2-0 for England with a win out in the country, 7 and 6, over Anne Argi.
And Christine Quinn clinched a English victory by beating Marie Christine de Werra 3 and 1.
With the result decided, Susan Dye lost by one hole to Carlotta Vannini and Joanne Ashmore had a square match with Mimmi Guglielmone.


SEMI-FINALS


SCOTLAND 3, IRELAND 2
Mary Smith and Moira Thompson bt Phil O'Gorman and Violet McBride 3 and 2.
Fiona De Vries bt Valerie Hassett 3 and 1.
Lorna Bennett lost to Pat Doran 2 and 1.
Heather Anderson bt Sheena McElroy 2 and 1.
Anne Ryan lost to Helen Jones 4 and 3.

ENGLAND 3 1/2, SWITZERLAND 1 1/2
Janet Melville and Felicity Christine bt Irene Meier-Boehm and Petra Muller Kronenberg 1 hole.
Carolina Marron bt Anne Argi 7 and 6.
Christine Quinn bt Marie Christine de Werra 3 and 2.
Susan Dye lost to Carlotta Vannini 1 hole.
Joanne Ashmore halved with Mimmi Guglielmone.

England team "really buoyant"
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Top seeds England will play Scotland in tomorrow’s final of the European senior women’s team championship at the Sporting Club, Berlin.
England – last year’s bronze medallists – defeated Switzerland 3½-1½ in their semi-final today. Scotland, meanwhile, beat Ireland 3-2 to claim their place in the final.
The play-off for third place will be between Switzerland and Ireland. If the Irish can pull off a win it will mean GB and I countries will capture the gold, silver and bronze medals.
England captain Sue Westall said: “We are looking forward to tomorrow enormously. The whole team is really buoyant. We know we’ve got at least a silver medal but the team won’t be happy with anything other than a gold – but the Scots will be hard to beat.”

The team continued to display the excellent form which has been their trademark this week. In the singles, English champion Caroline Marron overwhelmed her opponent and won her match on the 12th while Chris Quinn traded birdies in her match and was under par when she took her point.

In the foursomes match Janet Melville and Felicity Christine scored a gutsy win on the last hole, finally closing out opponents who had fought back from four down.

Those three points secured England’s place in the final. Meanwhile, Sue Dye was beaten on the last and Jo Ashmore’s match was declared a half.

The team for the final is:
Foursomes - Janet Melville and Felicity Christine
Singles - Caroline Marron, Chris Quinn, Roz Adams and Sue Dye.

Championship website: www.golf.de/esltc


Lyndsey Hewison
Press and PR Officer
EGWA