Holders Leinster were in devastating form when they whitewashed Connacht 10-0 in the opening round of the AIB-sponsored Women's Interprovincial Championship at Donegal Golf Club, Murvagh, yesterday.

Led by Irish Close champion Lillian Behan and strokeplay champion Suzanne O'Brien, Leinster made an impressive start when winning all three matches in the morning foursomes. And Behan brought her unbeaten run in the interprovincial series to eight matches when she beat Lillian O'Brien 5 and 4 in the top match in the afternoon singles. Suzanne O'Brien continued her good form in beating Emily MacMullen 6 and 5 and wins for Hazel Kavanagh, Oonagh Purfield, Yvonne Cassidy, Elaine Dowdall and Sinead Keane completed a good day for the champions.

Munster made a brief comeback in the singles before losing out to Ulster 7-3. Ulster took the foursomes 2 1/2-1/2 but wins for Barbara Hackett and Trish Mangan gave Munster some hope of sharing the day. However, Ulster's strength eventually told with wins for Sonya Verschuur and Bronagh McCann.

Hackett beat Alison Coffey 4 and 3 while Mangan was an impressive 6 and 5 winner over Michelle McGreevy.

Munster lost two matches on the 18th when Orla Barry went down to Anita McGaw by two holes and Ailish Thompson lost to Helen Jones.