Rosie Belsham helps England win second European Ladies’ Team Championship in a row

England’s women successfully defended their European Team Championship title with rookie Lottie Woad holding her nerve to secure the winning point in the final against Italy.

In a thrilling week of competition at Conwy in Wales, an England side featuring four of the team who lifted the trophy last year in Northern Ireland (Whitley Bay’s Rosie Belsham, Annabell Fuller, Charlotte Heath and Caley McGinty), came good once again.

For Lottie and Amelia Williamson, the feeling was just as special with the duo contributing massively to the success of the team in a gruelling but rewarding five days of drama.

The Italians were defeated by the smallest of margins – England running out 4-3 winners after a tough day of competition on the blustery north Wales links.

Team manager Jenny Henderson – England Golf’s assistant performance manager – said: “The players were just exceptional this week and never more than in the final when it comes down to nerve as well as skill and ability. I can speak on behalf of the whole backroom team when I say how proud we are to have witnessed the women defend their title.

“Last year the team were underdogs in the final against Sweden and played out their skins. This year we had the pressure of defending, but the win will carry a special resonance for us all. The whole team played their hearts out and I couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved as a group.”

Meanwhile, Rachel Gourley and Maggie Whitehead helped England claim fourth place in the European Girls’ Team Championship in Iceland as France won the title. In the men’s event, Spain beat Sweden to claim top spot at Royal St George’s as Germany beat England to win the boys’ title in Germany.