Amateur news: England fall short at Fulford
A spirited performance from England’s ladies proved not to be enough as they were knocked out of the European Ladies’ Amateur Championships by Spain yesterday at Fulford.
After Sarah Jane-Boyd’s heroics in the quarter final play-off the previous day, England made a shaky start to their semi-final clash in the foursomes matches. Former European number one Georgia Hall and her playing partner Hayley Davis slipped to three down through six, whilst Curtis Cup star Bronte Law and Megan MacLaren also fell behind early in their match.
However, three birdies in six holes from Hall and Davis brought their game back to all square, and a wonderful putt by Hall on the 13th green put the England girls one up with five to play. Some quite brilliant chipping from Davis and remarkable recovery play from Hall after two wayward tee shots at 15 and 17 saw them maintain their slender lead heading down the par-5 18th.
Both parings found the heart of the fairway from the 18th tee, but Davis found trouble with her approach shot – trying to hit the green in two and pushing the ball several yards to the right. However, with around 400 people stood watching around the green and from the clubhouse, Hall held her nerve to chip to within around three feet and secure the victory.
Despite a spirited performance from Bronte Law, she could not earn the full point needed and slipped to defeat in her game. Having been one down in their game, Law and MacLaren managed to pull back to all square through the first nine, but slipped back to one down with just one hole to play. Knowing that only a birdie or better would be good enough, Law slammed an approach shot to the front of the green to give her playing partner a chance of making eagle, but MacLaren could not convert the putt. The pair then proceded to watch their Spanish counterparts hole for eagle and take the match 2up.
In the afternoon singles matches, Hall took control in the early part of her game and made birdie at the seventh to go one up. However, her opponent fought back well and following two birdies at nine and 11 went on to win at the 17th.
Hayley Davis continued her success from the foursomes match and took her singles game 1up, while Lauren Taylor also brought home a half to contribute to the cause.
Sarah-Jane Boyd fell behind early in her game in her match early on, and despite a spirited performance from Bronte Law, she could not earn the full point needed and slipped to defeat in her game.
Commenting on the defeat, England captain Emma Brown said: “It’s been a bad day, but we still have a chance of a medal and we will go out and try and win it.”
England play Finland today in the bronze medal play-off.
All images courtesy of Leaderboard Photography
www.leaderboardphotography.com
