Fighting spirit wins for England U21s in France
 
FROM THE ENGLAND GOLF WEBSITE
Fighting spirit won through to give England a narrow 4-3 victory over France in an U21 women’s match at St Cloud, Paris today.
Lancashire’s Sophie Lamb – playing in the last game - secured the victory with an impressive comeback. The 17-year-old had been one down with three to play but snatched her point with a birdie on the last hole.
Inci Mehmet and Alice Hewson led the way with wins at the top of the order, but then the French edged ahead by winning the next three games. Gemma Clews stopped their run when she won her match on the last green and shortly afterwards Lamb  sealed the result. 
The match was a warm-up for the French U21 ladies’ championship which starts at St Cloud tomorrow and the players earned the praise of England women’s coach Steve Robinson.
“I was very pleased with the way we holed out and the fighting spirit that each of the players showed, taking matches down to the last couple of holes,” he said.
“This is a great result against a strong country – France are the reigning European champions - but the players are putting it behind them to focus on the start of the tournament tomorrow. This is a great springboard for the rest of the week.”
Cornwall’s Sammie Giles had to withdraw from the match, having been ruled out of the championship because of injury. Her place was taken by Hampshire’s Emma Allen.

Results:
Inci Mehmet (Royal Mid-Surrey) bt Marion Veysseyre 3 and 2.
Alice Hewson (Berkhamsted) bt Anyssia Herbaut  2 and 1.
India Clyburn (Woodhall Spa) lost to Eva Gilly 2 and 1.
Emma Allen (Meon Valley) lost to Lauralie Migneaux 2 holes
Bethan Popel (Long Ashton) lost to Elisabeth Codet 3 and 2.
Gemma Clews (Delamere Forest) bt Chloe Salort 1 jhole
Sophie Lamb (Clitheroe) bt Mathilde Claisee and Pauline Roussin Bouchard (playing foursomes) 1 hole.