Sparkling senior international debuts by Mary McKenna and Rhona Fanagan weren't enough to give Ireland victory over England in last week's two-day match at the European Club. Instead a six-all tie enabled the visitors to retain the trophy which they won in the inaugural meeting at Burnham and Berrow last year.

McKenna and Valerie Hassett teamed up to win the top fourball while Fanagan and Vera Cummins provided the other Irish point as the opening series was drawn two-all. It was singles on day two and it looked good for the home side when McKenna, Fanagan, Cummins and Jane Allen all won their matches, but England had strength at the bottom of the order and managed to draw level. There are tentative plans to expand the series to a Home Internationals-style competition.