McGimpsey hails his 'fighters'

Walker Cup captain Garth McGimpsey today hailed the two "street-fighters" who took Britain and Ireland to yet another against-the-odds victory over the United States at Ganton yesterday.

For the first time in the history of the match America have been beaten three times in a row, their latest defeat coming by a margin of 12-1/2 to 11-1/2 after they led by two points going into the concluding-eight singles. With the two sides level at 11-11, Welsh pair Nigel Edwards and Stuart Manley rose to the occasion.

Manley beat Trip Kuehne on the 16th green to ensure the holders retained the trophy just as Edwards rolled in a 60ft-birdie putt on the 17th to draw level with Lee Williams. He then made a solid par four on the last for the half his team required.

"Not in my wildest dreams did I think we could pull it off," said McGimpsey.

"I put Nigel and Stuart out last because we thought they were real street-fighters and they produced the goods. But all the players were magnificent.

"We were hanging on by our fingernails and they pulled everything out of the fire."