The Continent of Europe’s grip on the Jacques Léglise Trophy showed no sign of loosening after Pierre Relecom’s side built a commanding lead over GB&I on the first day of foursomes and singles at The Island on the outskirts of Dublin.
There was better news for GB&I in the Junior Vagliano Trophy, however, with the hosts taking the initiative over their European rivals after the opening exchanges of the girls’ contest.
In the boys’ match, the Continent of Europe emerged from a series of close ties with an 8–4 lead as their bid for a sixth successive victory in the match got off to a strong start.
Óliver Elí Björnsson, the Icelandic player who won the Boys’ Amateur Championship at Gailes Links last weekend, led the way with two wins to aid the European cause.
“Every year I have been Captain, I’ve been lucky to have the Boys’ Champion in my team,” said Relecom, who is aiming for a third consecutive win as skipper.
“And every time I have lined them up first, they have delivered. Ólafur was great. He is playing with real confidence and he was an easy choice for me.”
In a tight foursomes session, GB&I looked set to take the advantage, but momentum shifted on the back nine as the Continent of Europe secured a 3–1 win.
That turnaround was highlighted in the match featuring Gonzalo Baños Ramos and Louis Klein against Adam Fahey and Aidan Lawson. The GB&I pairing were four up with seven holes to play, but Banos Ramos and Klein fought back to earn a valuable half-point.
“I know GB&I players play a lot of foursomes golf and I have players who have never played together before,” added Relecom. “To turn that session around and win it was a huge boost.”
The singles matches were equally compelling. Björnsson maintained his form with a 4&3 win over Isaac Oliver in the top tie to extend Europe’s lead.
GB&I continued to battle, with Aaron Moody making eight birdies in a 3&1 victory over Giampaolo Gagliardi before key moments on the closing hole went against the home side.
Fahey was all-square against Baños Ramos playing the 18th, but the Spaniard holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the final green to secure the point.
The 18th hole proved costly again for GB&I as France’s European Young Masters champion, Tao Pemerika, also holed a birdie putt to turn a one-hole deficit through 16 into a one-up victory.
“The tide went against us in the singles but I was proud of the way we battled,” said GB&I captain Niall MacSweeney. “We conceded a couple of late birdies on the 18th but that is match play golf.”
While the hosts face a test in the Jacques Léglise Trophy, GB&I lead the Junior Vagliano Trophy after establishing a 5½–3½ advantage.
Becca Hembrough, the GB&I Captain, praised her side’s resilience, which was evident in the morning foursomes as GB&I edged the session 2–1.
Carly McDonald, the reigning Girls’ U16 champion, and her partner Alicia Kelly were three down with four holes to play against Angela Revuelta and Rut Diaz Garcia before birdies at the 15th, 17th, and 18th secured a half-point.
Revuelta responded in the opening singles tie, opening with three birdies en route to a 5&3 win against McDonald.
However, GB&I’s lower order delivered victories for Mariella Buchanan, Morgan Bollan and Rebecca Del Sol Gonzalez to provide the home side with a two-point cushion.
“Resilience has been a key theme this week and they showed plenty of it today,” said Hembrough, who is seeking to guide GB&I to a second victory in the match since its inception in 2011.
“It was a great first day. We focused on taking it session by session, so to win both is very encouraging and gives us plenty of confidence. Those half-points can prove crucial.
“The players were well prepared and my message to them was simply to trust themselves. I am very proud of them but we must focus on doing the same tomorrow.”
Scoring HERE
Leave a comment