England lost their grip on the European Men’s Team Championship when they were beaten 4-3 in the semi-finals by Ireland, who went on to take the title. Then another 4-3 setback against Scotland denied them third place.
It is never easy to defend a championship but the battle with the Irish couldn’t have been closer, England’s hopes dying on the last hole of the final singles.
In a dramatic finish, all chances of a final place rested on the shoulders of Ireland’s Richard Kilpatrick and England’s Gary Boyd.
Boyd had led for most of the deciding match – securing a two-hole cushion by the ninth but being pegged back by the 15th. That glint of hope was enough to get the Irishman back in to the match, with both players all square by the 17th.
Boyd’s tee shot on the 18th flew out of bounds, then, after playing a second ball, the 20 year old from Northamptonshire fired superb approach 15-feet behind the pin. Kilpatrick’s drive found the middle of the fairway and luck struck again when his second flew wide but hit a buggy parked by the practice area.
In a further twist, the Irishman’s chip to the green hit a sprinkler head which left him 25 feet from the hole. Kilpatrick’s missed putt then left Boyd needing to sink his putt to take the bout to extra holes.
However it was not to be, in front of anxious crowds the ball rolling agonisingly past and Ireland were through to face France who beat the Scots 4½ – 2½.
In the bronze medal encounter, the foursomes were shared 1-1, England’s win coming from the reliable pairing of Jamie Moul (pictured – photo courtesy of Tom Ward) and Gary Wolstenholme over Jonathan King and US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay by 2&1.
Moul, who was possibly playing his last match for England, said: "They were good scalps to get. Richie beat me four years ago at the Youths in Ireland, so it was good to get a win back."
Although England took the top two singles through John Parry and Paul Waring, Scotland hit back with Jonathan King beating Boyd 3&2 while David Horsey went down 4&3 to Lloyd Saltman.
It was left to Ramsay to seal the winning point with a 2&1 win over Wolstenholme after the Englishmen three-putted from just off the green at a critical moment on the 16th hole.
Ramsay’s superb approach shot on the penultimate hole closed the door to leave the Scots celebrating in the Ayrshire sunshine.
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