England’s great comeback wins Stroyan Cup
5 August
2005
England staged one of golf’s great comebacks
to win the Stroyan Cup for the sixth consecutive time
at the Girls International Matches at Worplesdon.
They retained the trophy in unbeatable style, defeating
Ireland 9-0, while Wales could manage only a half
against Scotland.
It meant England finished the week with two points
for two wins. Wales took second place over Scotland
on “goal difference” after both scored
1½ points, while Ireland were fourth with 1
point.
England’s hopes of holding on to the trophy
seemed well and truly dashed on the first day of the
tournament when they were thrashed 8-1 by Wales. But,
in the words of captain Joy Trafford, they “took
it on the chin” and came out fighting. Their
attitude was rewarded with two wins while their rivals
faltered.
ELGA chairman Jenny Clink said afterwards: “We
are stunned but ecstatic. It’s fantastic. You
really couldn’t have written this script.”
Joy Trafford added: “Everyone absolutely played
their socks off today and to win in such style is
unbelievable. We said the girls had to win the match
and then the rest was up to other people and there
was nothing we could do about that.
“But when I heard Wales and Scotland had halved
I didn’t quite believe it. I had to radio back
to the office for them to confirm it.”
She went on: “They have been such a tremendous
bunch of girls. They took that heavy defeat so well
and were so spirited, I was very proud of them. Now,
they’re ecstatic.”
The England team was: Hannah Barwood (Knowle), Henrietta
Brockway (Yeovil), Jodi Ewart (Catterick), Joanne
Hodge (Knowle), Felicity Johnson (Harborne), Kiran
Matharu (Cookridge Hall), Florentyna Parker (Royal
Birkdale) and Melissa Reid (Chevin).
England bounce back in Girls’ International
Matches
4 August
2005
England bounced back to form in the Girls’
International Matches at Worplesdon by beating Scotland
5-4.
They shrugged off the disappointment of the opening
day’s heavy defeat with a confident performance.
Team captain Joy Trafford said: “The girls were
absolutely gutted after the first day but now they
feel they have put things right as much as they can.”
Meanwhile Wales, who handed out England’s beating,
were in turn defeated by Ireland – and the matches
are poised for a fascinating finale.
Each of the four countries has one victory in the
series so far and, while Wales leads the points table,
there is everything to play for on the final day.
“We will go out tomorrow and really play our
socks off,” said Joy.
England quickly took control of their match against
Scotland, winning two of the three morning foursomes.
Then Jodi Ewart (Catterick), Felicity Johnson (Harborne)
and Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall) put the result
beyond doubt with very convincing wins in their singles.
The team were unlucky not to score more points. English
girls’ champion Melissa Reid lost only when
her opponent holed a monster putt on the last and
Hannah Barwood (Knowle) birdied three of the last
four holes. However she, too, went one down when her
opponent also birdied the last.
“They both fought and fought and considering
this was Hannah’s debut it really was a very
good attempt,” said Joy.
In the final day’s matches England play Ireland
and Wales play Scotland.
England falter in Stroyan Cup defence
3 August
2005
England made a nightmare start to their defence
of the Stroyan Cup in the Girls’ International
Matches at Worplesdon, scoring just one point against
Wales.
English girls’ champion Melissa Reid (Chevin)
was the only player to win on the opening day, defeating
Kim Boulden by one hole in the afternoon singles.
Afterward, team captain Joy Trafford said: “The
Welsh deserved it, they played very well. We are taking
it on the chin, we are re-grouping and we will come
back fighting.”
In the other match Scotland beat Ireland 6½-2½.
In the second day’s matches England will play
Scotland while Wales take on Ireland.
Strong England team named for girls’ international
matches
30 July
2005
English champion Felicity Johnson and girls’
champion Melissa Reid will lead England’s defence
of the Stroyan Cup at the girls’ international
matches at Worplesdon Golf Club, Surrey, from August
3-5.
England is bidding to win the trophy for the sixth
consecutive year – and in a season which already
includes a gold medal triumph in the European Girls’
Team Championship.
The team, captained by Joy Trafford, is a very strong
line-up. The eight caps are: Hannah Barwood (Knowle),
Henrietta Brockway (Yeovil), Jodi Ewart (Catterick),
Joanne Hodge (Knowle), Felicity Johnson (Harborne),
Kiran Matharu (Cookridge Hall), Florentyna Parker
(Royal Birkdale) and Melissa Reid (Chevin).
Melissa Reid, 17, has just successfully defended
the English girls’ championship and was in the
England’s gold medal-winning team at the European
championships, alongside Kiran Matharu, 16, and Jodi
Ewart, 17.
English champion Felicity Johnson, 18, is fresh from
helping Great Britain and Ireland retain the Vagliano
Trophy and was part of the England team which won
the silver medal in the European Ladies’ Team
Championship.
Joanne Hodge, 18, who was runner-up in the English
girls’ championship and reached the last 16
in this year’s British amateur, played in the
girls’ internationals in 2003. Florentyna Parker,
16, who has just had a top five finish in the European
Young Masters, is an experienced member of the side.
Henrietta Brockway, 15, the English U15 champion
and Welsh open strokeplay champion, and Hannah Barwood,
15, the joint runner-up in the English schools championship,
will both make their debut in these matches.
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