The 43rd Curtis Cup was tantalisingly poised after Saturday morning’s foursomes, as Great Britain and Ireland remained level with the United States of America.
For the first time since the format of the match changed in 2008 to three days and five sessions, the teams were tied halfway through day two on 4.5 points apiece.
All three foursomes contests proved tense and tight on Saturday, with two finishing on the 18th and the other decided on the 17th hole.
Gripping encounter
There was never more than a hole between the pairs in the top match, which saw Lottie Woad and Sara Byrne finish all-square against Melanie Green and Rachel Kuehn.
Woad and Byrne repeatedly edged ahead but then found themselves behind for the first time when they bogeyed the 16th and 17th.
The Women’s Amateur Champion Green then had a five-foot putt to win the match for the USA on the 18th, but it slipped by the edge of the hole to give Woad the chance to salvage a crucial half-point.
Impressive display
The USA did claim a full point courtesy of Catherine Park and Zoe Campos, who won a high-quality contest against Patience Rhodes and Beth Coulter.
Park and Campos made seven birdies to GB&I’s six and closed out a 2&1 victory having led since the 3rd hole.
Yet Hannah Darling and Aine Donegan ensured the morning ended with the teams level once again, the former holing a clutch putt on the final green to seal a one-hole win over Anna Davis and Megan Schofill.
