Golf: Buoyant Hall lifts England

THE FORMER British champion, Julie Hall, shot a round of 71, one under par, in windy conditions to set up a first-round meeting between England and Ireland in the European Women's Team Championship at Royal Haagsche in the Netherlands.

Hall equalled a tournament- best aggregate of 144 for the two qualifying rounds.

As tougher pin positions and ever-quickening greens took their toll, England matched their opening tally of 375 and fourth position in the top flight.

In contrast Ireland and Scotland, who shared second position overnight, slipped. The Irish dropped to fifth, while the Scots, with the British champion Catriona Lambert alone showing an improvement, qualified in seventh spot.

Scotland now play France, while Wales, who squeezed home with just three strokes to spare, tackle the leading qualifiers and 1991 finalists, Sweden.