SCOTS BID TO END LONG LOSING RUN IN HOME INTERNATIONALS

The only way is up as far as Scotland are concerned in the Women's Home Internationals which tee off tomorrow at Scotscraig Golf Club, the 13th oldest in the world, Tayport in North Fife.
Scotland, under the captaincy of Lesley Nicholson, won the title and the Miller Trophy at Cardiff three years ago. Since then they have lost six matches in a row over two years, spanning the 2011 and 2012 internationals.
The team leadership is back in the hands of a Lothians figure in Karen Marshall (Baberton) and, for one reason or another, she has a very young team at her disposal.

Scottish girls champion Connie Jaffrey (Troon Ladies), Heather Munro (Monifieth), Stirling student Hannah McCook (Grantown on Spey) and St Andrews student Gabrielle Macdonald (Craigielaw) will all be making their debut in the Women's Home Internationals.

The backbone of experience in the eight-strong side is provided by the Briggs sisters, Megan and Eilidh from Kilmacolm, last year's Scottish girls champion Lauren Whyte (St Regulus) and Scottish champion Alyson McKechin (Elderslie).

For the opening foursomes against Ireland, skipper Marshall has paired McKechin with Eilidh Briggs, Megan Briggs with Macdonald, and Whyte with Jaffrey.

England, winners of the title at Cork last year and Hillside in 2011, are warm favourites with several world-ranked players in their ranks.
If they can make a winning start against Wales who always seem to punch above their weight in the Home Internationals - they won the title the last time the three-day event was played in Scotland, at Irvine Bogside, in 2009 - England will be hard to stop.
Perhaps an omen for Wales that Sam Birks has had a hole in one - her fifth, with a five-iron, at the 163yd 15th in practice.

Admission and car parking is free at Scotscraig and strong home support would certainly aid the Scots' cause.

Wednesday morning's foursomes:
 
ENGLAND v WALES
8.30 Lauren Taylor and Georgia Hall v Amy Boulden and Becky Harries
8.40 Alexandra Peters and Gabriella Cowley v Chloe Williams and Katie Bradbury
8.50 Sarah-Jane Boye and Rachael Goodall v. Sam Birks and Kath O'Connor
Singles from 1.10pm to 2pm
 
 SCOTLAND v IRELAND
9.00 Alyson McKechin and Eilidh Briggs v Lisa Maguire and Leona Maguire
9.10 Megan Briggs and Gabrielle Macdonald v Marie Dunne and Emma O'Driscoll
9.20 Lauren Whyte and Connie Jaffrey v Paula Grant and Olivia Mehaffey.
Singles from 2.10pm to 3pm.

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