Northumberland’s Rosie Belsham, Maggie Whitehead and Rachel Gourley helped England enjoy triple success in the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa.
England made home advantage count to make a clean sweep of the R&A Women’s, Boys’ and Girls’, and Senior Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals.
In the 106th Women’s Home Internationals, England overcame Ireland on the final day to retain the trophy they won in 2020.
In the Boys’ and Girls’ Home Internationals – a new format for 2021 – teams of six girls and eight boys from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competed against each other as one team. Matches consisted of seven foursomes and 14 singles. England topped the table going into the final day with victories over Ireland and Wales teeing up a showdown with Scotland on the final day.
After the morning singles, England led by the slender margin of 7.5-6.5 and with seven foursomes matches scheduled for the afternoon it was still all to play for.
The double act of Lottie Woad and Olivia Lee grabbed the first point of the afternoon session and set the tone for the rest of the team. Josh Hill and Jack Bigham brought home a big point as did the duo of Harley Smith and Josh Berry. The half gained by Davina Xanh and Patience Rhodes was also crucial to the overall 11-10 win which helped England over the line in the inaugural joint junior event.
Meanwhile, the English Senior Men and Women also topped the points table to finish off England’s treble.
