The Republic of Ireland snooker team of Fergal O'Brien, Ken Doherty and Michael Judge were defeated 6-2 by Scotland tonight in the final of the Coalite Nations Cup at Reading's Hexagon Theatre.
In a repeat of their 1996 World Cup triumph, the Scotland team of Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Alan McManus defeated the Republic to re-establish themselves as snooker's top potting country.
The Scots won four successive frames, including a double singles win for former world champion and world number one John Higgins over O'Brien and Doherty.
The Irish pair had earlier reduced the Republic's arrears to only 3-2 by beating Hendry and Higgins in the doubles.
But the Republic, first-time Nations Cup finalists, who upset Wales 5-1 in the last four, were no match for the favourites, who had crushed Northern Ireland 5-0 in Saturday's second semi-final.
Hendry and McManus remained unbeaten in the singles with two victories apiece while Higgins' only blemish in three outings was against world number 46 Judge.