The Maguire twins made stunning debuts for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy in Hamburg yesterday, although it wasn’t enough to prevent the Continent of Europe taking a firm hold on the event as they lead 7.5-4.5 at the halfway stage.

At 14, the Co Cavan girls are the youngest to play in the biennial fixture. But they showed maturity and skill way beyond their years as they finished the day undefeated, contributing 2.5 points to the GB&I total.

Paired together in the morning foursomes Leona and Lisa came from three down after 10 holes to beat Marion Ricordeau and Laura Gonzalez-Escallon on the 18th green.

Four bogeys over the front nine looked to have ended their chances, but the twins came alive on the back nine, winning the 11th, 14th and 15th to square the match. A brilliant birdie three on the home hole gave them victory and brought GB&I their first point.

Royal County Down's Danielle McVeigh and Welsh international Rhian Wyn Thomas lost 2&1 to Carline Hedwall and Marieke Nivard as Europe took a 2.5 to 1.5 lead into the afternoon.

Heavy rain forced play to be suspended in the singles for two hours and after losing their opening two matches, it was Leona Maguire who stopped the rot with a one-up win over Lucie Andre.

Having been dormie three, she lost 16 and 17 before a par at the last gave her a perfect record for the day. Lisa went three up after 13 in her game against Caroline Masson but eventually had to settle for a draw. She lost 13th, 14th and 15th all to birdies and had to halve the last three to salvage a share of the honours.

McVeigh was one down at the turn to Marieke Nivard but then lost three more holes to succumb 4&2.