ACCRINGTON ace Nikki Foster endured an up and down start to her Home Internationals campaign as England ladies’ hopes of winning were dashed within two days in Wales.

The 18-year-old Pleasington member was among the eight-strong England team looking to claim the title over Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

But they will not be wrestling the crown away from defending champ-ions Wales after a crushing opening two days where they lost 13 out of 18 matches in Whitchurch, Cardiff, to Scotland and Ireland.

England suffered a setback on Wednesday when beaten 8-1 by a strong Irish side.

Foster, who highlighted her top-class pedigree a fortnight ago by clinching the Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy, was not among the ladies routed 6-0 by their Irish counter-parts in the singles.

But she lost her foursomes match, playing alongside Charlie Douglass, to Ireland pair Gillian O’Leary and Sinead O’Sullivan by one shot.

Foster, a member of the England girls team that won the Home Internationals at Fairhaven last year, and Douglass were also beaten in yesterday’s match against Scotland, edged out 3&2 by Louise Kenney and Kelsey MacDonald.

Foster, however, showed fantastic spirit to dominate her singles match against Scot Laura Murray, winning by a comfortable 7&5 margin.

England enjoyed the better of their singles matches against their rivals north of the border, coming out on top 4-2, but slipping to three straight foresomes defeats has left them out of the running to clinch the overall title with one day to spare.

Once again, Foster and Douglass are teaming up in the foursomes this morning as England take on Wales hoping to avoid finishing bottom of the four-team group.

Ireland and Scotland, comfortably leading the way in Cardiff, will fight it out for the title.