Great Britain and Ireland has retained the Astor Trophy after managing a hard fought win over Canada on the final day at the Fairhaven Golf Club in Lytham St Annes.
New Zealand, who was looking to win the title for the first time, could only watch on their rest day as they finished runner up for the fifth time.
The Kiwis were supporting the Canadians to an unlikely win over Great Britain and Ireland and they almost pulled it off.
Christine Wong won the first singles match to make it 3-0 and the host nation was under pressure early. They responded in style and won the final four singles matches, with three of the matches going to the 18th, to confirm why they are the most successful team in the Astor Trophy.
The Kiwis will leave the United Kingdom disappointed to come up just short but there were some encouraging signs from the tournament.
Wellington’s Julianne Alvarez made the most of her international debut winning three out of her four singles matches. Tokoroa’s Chantelle Cassidy showed she belonged at international level.
World No.3 Cecilia Cho was solid throughout and World No.1 Lydia Ko continued to show her class winning for New Zealand in the final matches when it was needed.
Formerly known as the Commonwealth Tournament, the Astor Trophy is contested every four years between teams of top women amateur golfers from Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
New Zealand has now finished runner up five times while Great Britain and Ireland extend their place as most successful team (seven wins) ahead of Australia (four wins).
Astor Trophy: Day 5
Great Britain and Ireland 4, Canada 3
Kelsey Macdonald lost to Christine Wong 1down, Holly Clyburn bt Anne-Catherine Tanguay 1up, Pamela Pretswell bt Rebecca Lee-Bentham 6 and 5, Amy Boulden bt Nicole Vandermade 1up, Kelly Tidy bt Jessica Wallace 1up.
