Yorkshire trio Brown, Whiteoak and Hague unable to nudge England over line at Moortown

MASHAM'S Dan Brown and Shipley's Will Whiteoak both won their singles matches on the final day of the men's Home Internationals at Moortown, but a 7.5-7.5 draw for England with champions Ireland saw the hosts fall agonisingly short of lifting the title.
Masham's Dan Brown in action for England on Friday at Moortown
 (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).Masham's Dan Brown in action for England on Friday at Moortown
 (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).
Masham's Dan Brown in action for England on Friday at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).

Instead Ireland won the Raymond Trophy for a fourth consecutive time by half a game point.

Both Ireland and England had won their earlier two matches against Scotland and Wales.

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However, over the three days Ireland had 26.5 game points to England’s 26.

Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).
Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).

The third Yorkshire member in the hosts’ line-up, David Hague (Malton & Norton) had a perfect record of four wins from four matches heading into yesterday.

But after he and Jack Gaunt were beaten for the first time as a foursomes pairing, Hague was beaten 4&3 in the singles.

England had lost this championship last year on the last putt on the final green.

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They also lost the gold medal in the European team championships a few weeks ago on the last putt on the 18th.

Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).
Ireland with the trophy after defending their men's Home Internationals title at Moortown (Picture: Leaderboard Photography).

England team captain Kevin Tucker remarked: “I’m incredibly proud of my team, they were underdogs and they nearly pulled it off. They were great.”

Ireland won the foursomes 3-2, but in the singles England had the upper hand for much of the afternoon.

Although Ireland led in the top two games the rest were going England’s way and a narrow win looked in sight.

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Brown and Whiteoak put their winning points on the board and Matthew Jordan squeezed a half out of the top game. But three wins and a half for Ireland left England needing to win the last three games for the title.

They brought in two victories, but Jake Burnage was restricted to a half in the final match.

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