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England sweep the Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals

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The R&A
11 Aug 23
3 mins
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England won The R&A Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals at Machynys Peninsula Golf Club and Spa in Llanelli, Wales for the second time. 

England’s best amateurs didn’t just retain the trophy inaugurated last year, the 16-player team, seven women and nine men, swept the table.   The women won the International Shield as Women’s Home Internationals champions, while the men lifted the Raymond Trophy for the 48th time since the inaugural 1932 competition. Both competitions ran in conjunction with the main event.  In a rerun of last year’s final day at Ballyliffin, England once again defeated Ireland in the title decider, beating the team from the Emerald Isle 12½-8½ on a sun-kissed day on the Machynys Peninsula. 

Fantastic day for England 

Scotland defeated Wales 11-10 to finish third with one point. The home team ended up with zero points after losing all three matches.   “What a day,” said a relieved England captain Gareth Jenkins. “That was truly fantastic. To sweep all three [matches] is an amazing achievement. Three of the women’s games went down the last and we got something out of all three to get over the line. We had great team spirit and to finish ahead of an excellent Irish team is very rewarding.   “The women have played great all week. It was close today but we expected that and they just managed to pip Ireland in the women’s competition.   “The men bounced back brilliantly from losing to Wales yesterday because they were gutted. But they’re a great bunch of lads. We had a good chat last night and they came out fighting, which was really pleasing. But the key to victory was the big turnaround this morning in the foursomes.” 
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Crockett wonder shot  

No international team match is decided by any one shot, but the stroke Charlie Crockett played on the final hole in the final foursomes match alongside James Claridge gave England that all important boost heading into the singles.   All square against Colm Campbell and Robert Moran, Crockett hit a 205-yard, 7-iron to 18 inches for a conceded eagle and a one hole win. It gave his side a 5-2 advantage heading into the all-important singles, which they won 7½-6½.  “That’s one of the finest shots I’ve ever seen,” said Jenkins. “The foursomes were important from a men’s perspective, and it really helped from a team perspective because it made it easier for us in the afternoon. That gave us a nice cushion.” 

Key performances 

It also proved key to the men’s victory. England and Ireland topped the men’s table with two points apiece, with England taking the Raymond Trophy with half a game point more than the Irish, 20½-20.   Jack Bigham, Zachary Chegwidden, James Claridge, Crockett, Aaron Edwards-Hill, Dylan Shaw-Radford and Tyler Weaver all chipped in four points apiece for England.  Wales and Scotland earned a point each, with Wales taking third by 16-15½ game points.  The English women topped their points table by one over Ireland with three wins from three matches, but only by edging Ireland 5-4 on the final day. Wales finished third with one point, while Scotland were last.  Patience Rhodes had a perfect three days as she won all five matches played, including all three foursomes matches with sister Euphemie. 

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