AMATEUR WOMEN:IRELAND GO head to head with Scotland at Whitchurch in Cardiff today to decide the Women's Home International title a year after failing to win a match in the series at Irvine.

They followed their 8-1 demolition of England with a 6-3 mauling of reigning champions Wales which means a share of the spoils with the Scots today will give them the crown for the first time in six years. “They have played wonderfully over the past two days but the business is not finished yet. One last push could get us there,” said Irish captain Claire Robinson.

But Ireland had to come from behind yesterday as the Scots took the foursomes 2-1. The brilliant Maguire twins led the way as they remained unbeaten. They collected the only Irish foursomes point beating Amy Boulden and Gemma Bradbury on the home green and swept to singles triumphs.

Leona, the French under-20 champion, overwhelmed Kath O’Connor 8 and 7, seven under par. She won eight of the first nine holes and bagged a couple of halves which was sufficient. Lisa was four up against Gemma Bradbury after 11 holes but lost 12 and 13 before steadying the ship and grabbing four halves for victory.

At the top of the order Danielle McVeigh, last year’s British stroke-play champion, had a ding-dong battle over the first nine with 16-year-old Boulden but went onto win 3 and 2.

When Charlene Reid finished off Katie Bradbury on the home green Ireland had won. Reid was three up at the turn but lost three holes in a row, won the 15th, lost the 17th but won the long last for the crucial point.

Sinead O’Sullivan defeated Becky Harries and that win could prove vital in the case of a draw today as Ireland will have more individual points.

England play Wales today trying to avoid the wooden spoon.