7th July: All To Fight For In French Irish Final

French duo Adrien Bernadet and Alexandre Kaleka again justified their places within the French elite squad as they demonstrated their invincible form in the first foursomes match of the hotly contested European Team final today.

Facing Irish sensation, European Individual Champion Rory McIlroy and Western Gailes course record holder Jonathan Caldwell – who were leading from the third hole, the French pair edged their way into the match and never faltered.

Kaleka, joint runner up at the Scottish Stroke Play Championship and Bernadet – who intends to turn pro at the end of this year – showed their ongoing affection of Scottish links courses, which they have been learning to master for the past few months in preparation for this tournament. Tackling the Western Gailes course again in blustery conditions, the dynamic Gallic duo romped to 4 hole lead at the 11th before finally clinching a 5&4 win, posting the first result for France on the leaderboard.

It was Shane Lowry and Richard Kilpatrick who were to offer Ireland a ray of hope and settle the score before lunchtime, with their win over Jean Wolff and Kenny Le Sager. The Irish pairing were 1 up by the 5th hole which they parred and halved every hole until they won the 13th and 14th, to go three up with 4 to play. A late French resistance at the 15th and the 16th - which the French won with a birdie - was not enough to fend off an Irish victory, which they claimed at the 18th with a par.

Commenting after the match, Richard Kilpatrick said, “The wind started to get up over the last three or four holes, which made it trickier. But it was good to secure that win for a good chance this afternoon. Everyone is playing well, so we are feeling confident.”

With France and Ireland level pegging with one win each, the final singles matches this afternoon look set to provide an exciting climax to the final.

Scotland and auld enemy England’s battle for the much coveted bronze medal also got underway today. With James Byrne returning to the fray playing alongside Keir McNicoll, the new pairing proved a winning combination as they tackled England’s Paul Waring and John Parry.

The English double act had a promising start, claiming the upperhand from the 2nd and a birdie at the 6th, saw the Scots on the back foot. However a great up and down at the 7th saved Byrne and McNicoll from losing a further shot and kept them in the running. However it was a flurry of birdies at the 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th which saw Scotland safely bound for an eagerly anticipated win at the 16th.

In a reversal of fortunes, former world number one Jamie Moul and amateur star Gary Wolstenholme sunk Scotland’s hope of a second foursomes victory. Glasgow’s Jonathan King and Richie Ramsay were one down by the turn and despite Scotland fighting all the way, they finally capitulated at the 17th hole where England took the match.
Moul, ‘proudly representing England possibly for the last time this morning’ said after the game, “It was a good match, it was pretty close all the way through. Both sides played pretty solid golf from tee to green all the way around.

The 20 year old, who intends to turn professional at the end of this year said of his victory over King and Ramsay, “They were good scalps to get this morning. Richie beat me four years ago at the Youths in Ireland, so it was good to get a win back.

He added, “The showdown is now set for the afternoon. Its not the match that either side really wanted to be playing in, but we are still keen to get the bronze medal and I will look forward to watching my team in the singles matches this afternoon.”

The all important singles matches are now underway to determine who will take this year’s European Team Championship crown.