SCOTLAND missed out on a treble when they came up short in their bid to win the Fairstone Men’s Home Internationals at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Having been crowned European champions in Sweden last month and won the Boys’ Home Internationals in Wales last week, victory for the Scots would have seen them hold all three team trophies for the first time.
However, Ireland had other ideas and claimed an impressive 11-4 final-day victory to retain the title and the Raymond Trophy they won in Wales last year. Scotland finished second, just ahead of England who beat Wales on the final day.
Ireland edged the morning foursomes 3-2 to leave the contest in the balance going into the 10 singles matches.
In the battle of the Walker Cup hopefuls in the opening foursomes tie, Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume inflicted a first foursomes defeat in eight matches on Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) and Graeme Robertson (Glenbervie).
Colin Fairweather and Dermot McElroy saw off the Fairstone Scottish Amateur champion Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten) and Connor Syme (Drumoig), thanks to McElroy’s 18-foot putt on the final green. The Scots replied with wins for Craigie Hill’s Daniel Young together with Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) and Matt Clark (Kilmacolm) with Haggs Castle’s Barry Hume.
But the bottom foursomes match went the way of Ireland before lunch, thanks to John-Ross Galbraith and Colm Campbell Jnr, and the victory seemed to inspire the hosts to a stunning afternoon display.
Only Robertson and Clark managed wins for the Scots, as Ireland won the singles session 8-2. Hume and Moynihan set the tone at the top of the order with victories over McDonald and MacIntyre respectively.
Next year’s Men’s Home Internationals take place at Nairn, as Scotland seek a first win since their victory at Gailes in 2012.
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