TOM LEWIS had mixed fortunes as he took his place in the England team which lost to Ireland in the Boys Home Internationals at Royal County Down. The Welwyn Garden City teenager started well as England beat Wales in the opening match 8.-6.,

TOM LEWIS had mixed fortunes as he took his place in the England team which lost to Ireland in the Boys Home Internationals at Royal County Down.

The Welwyn Garden City teenager started well as England beat Wales in the opening match 81/2-61/2, halving his foursomes and winning his singles by one hole. England then beat Scotland 10-5, Lewis and captain Tommy Fleetwood halving their foursomes, but Lewis losing his singles 2&1.

With the title depending on the final match between England and Ireland, both level after two victories each, the Irish won the foursomes 31/2-11/2, but England fought back, the title depending on the last match which Ireland won for an overall 8-7 victory. Lewis and Fleetwood lost their foursomes 3&1 and Lewis lost his singles 2&1.

Wales took third place and Scotland the wooden spoon.

Tom moved on to the British Boys Championship at Little Aston, Birmingham, which started on Monday. He won his first round match against a German opponent 5&3, but went out in the second round to a Scots opponent 2&1.

Of other Herts entrants, Harpenden Common's Sam Claridge won 3&2 and Tom Brown by one hole in the first round, with the second round to be played.