The Continent of Europe has won an unprecendented fifth straight Jacques Léglise Trophy against Great Britain & Ireland.
Starting the day with 4.5 points apiece, the Europeans grabbed the inititive in the only foursomes session of the contest after a reduced format on Day 1 due to weather.
Despite many birdies on both sides in relatively calm conditions at West Lancs, the visitors came out on top with a 4-0 cleansweep of the morning session. Among the victories, Lev Grinberg and Giovanni Binaghi were the standout performers, and reached 7-under-par when they won their match on the 16th hole.
Facing a huge task to overturn the Europeans' 4-point advantage, the GB&I boys seemed more comfortable with the stronger winds in the afternoon, and quickly turned momentum their way in the singles.
Viggo Olsson Mörk won the top match to secure a 100% record this week, and carry-on his winning streak from the Boys' Amateur, although most matches behind were leaning in favour of the hosts.
Neo Berg secured a half-point in the second match, as did Hugo Le Goff in match 3 despite being down for much of the round, bringing Europe within just one point of victory.
Arthur Carlier, who was 3-down with six to play, won five holes in a row to turn the match around and secure a fifth-straight win for the Continent of Europe.
In the junior girls match, after seven straight times watching the top girls from the Continent of Europe win the trophy, the home side finally took the silverware.
Shortly after the Continent of Europe ran out 12-10 winners of the Jacques Leglise Trophy, GB&I eked out an 8-7 victory in the Junior Vagliano Trophy.
Irish non-playing captain Deirdre Walsh and her six girls ended 13 years of frustration since the inaugural 2011 contest. Last year’s 9-9 draw at Royal Dornoch was the closest any GB&I team had come.
“This is unbelievable,” Walsh said. “I’m absolutely delighted for the girls. They believed in themselves, they really did, and they went out to win their own points. They didn’t run away with themselves, or get ahead of themselves. They focussed on their own matches. They went out to do a job and they did it.
“We were so close last year, and to do it this year is such a thrill. It’s a huge achievement for these girls.”
GB&I built up a 5-4 lead after the morning foursomes, splitting the session 1½ points apiece. It meant Walsh’s team needed three singles wins from six to make history. They didn’t get off to the best of starts with the Continent of Europe winning the first three matches. However, Olivia Costello of Ireland and English players Lauren Crump and Charlotte McNaughton came through to get the home side over the line.
Walsh credited one match with propelling her side to victory, pointing to the half point McNaughton and Costello earned in their foursomes contest against the French pair of Louise Uma Landgraf and Alice Kong. The GB&I girls were four down after six holes but fought back to earn the crucial half point that gave them the advantage heading to singles play.
“That halve was vital this morning, absolutely vital,” Walsh said. “It was a game changer because it gave us momentum for this afternoon. We went into lunch confident, knowing that we could win the cup for the first time. It made the difference.
“It’s just such an achievement to beat the best from the Continent of Europe. These girls can be proud of themselves.”
European captain Myrte Eikenaar also picked that shared foursomes match as the difference over the two days.
“It was fine margins this week but that half point in the morning foursomes was so important for GB&I,” Eikenaar admitted. “It gave them the lead and we had to fight harder. We gave it our best, but GB&I just had that edge and they deserved to win. It’s good for the match that they’ve finally won because they’ve been getting closer and closer, but we’ll be looking for revenge on the Continent next year.”
Cover Photo: © THE R&A
