Knowle's Hannah Barwood and the England team finally produced their best form to win the last of the three Home international matches against Ireland at Irvine Golf Club, Ayrshire.

However, the title went to Wales, leaving England in third place.

Barwood lost 3 and 2 to Rhian Wyn Thomas in the singles when England lost 7-2 to Wales on the opening day, but she beat Kelsey MacDonald 2 and 1 in the 5-3 defeat by Scotland.

Barwood then made it a creditable three wins out of six with a double in the final match.

Partnered by Kelly Tidy (Royal Birkdale), victory came against Gillian O'Leary and Victoria Bradshaw by 3 and 1 in the foursomes and then by one hole against Aedin Murphy in her singles match.

Her Gloucestershire colleague Charlotte Ellis (Minchinhampton) contributed one win and a half.

Both players then moved to Pleasington in Lancashire to contest the English county finals this week. Barwood missed the qualifier at Bristol & Clifton in June as she was making her debut on the Ladies European Tour in Ireland.

But she was drafted straight back into the team at the expense of Canada-based Leah Occleshaw (Players Club).