O'Brien hits form for the home side

Suzanne O'Brien gave two five-star performances to help Britain and Ireland stay in contention in their Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe at North Berwick on Scotland's east coast yesterday.

The 32-year-old Irish international from Milltown was one of three players in the side to collect two points, but still, at the end of the day, they trailed by 6 1/2 to 5 1/2.

But O'Brien - the sister of Walker Cup star Jody Fanagan - was in irrepressible form and her two successes mean that the hosts are still in with a chance of regaining the trophy they lost in 1995.

The former Irish champion lined up in the foursomes with Scotland's Lesley Nicholson and they were far too classy for the German pair of Mirriam Nagl and Nicole Stillig. The home couple were never behind in the match; they took the lead at the fifth, went two up at the ninth and then just kept going for a comfortable 4 and 3 victory.

In the afternoon singles, O'Brien didn't put a foot wrong and again in this match was never in arrears. She went in front against Nagl in spectacular fashion, putting her tee shot to within eight feet of the stick at the fourth and knocking in the putt.

Although Nagl hit back by taking the next with a birdie three, that was the end of her challenge as she proceeded to lose four holes in a row. O'Brien pitched to within 12 feet at the ninth for her second birdie of the round. Now four up, and a series of halves saw her home by 4 and 3.

"I am really delighted with my game today," she said. "It's been a good day - I've been hitting the ball well and although it's disappointing we're behind, there is still all to play for."

Warrenpoint's Ulster champion Alison Coffey lost her foursomes with Scotland's Anne Laing, but in the afternoon battled bravely to share the spoils with 18-year-old German Martina Eberl.

In fact, Coffey was one down with two to play but won the 17th to square and narrowly failed with an eight-foot, match winning attempt on the last green.

Ireland's Claire Dowling, captain of the side, was disappointed but not too downhearted.

"I'm pleased that we are still in touch," said Dowling, who played in five winning Vagliano Trophy sides. "We always knew this Continental side would be tough and it is going to be a great challenge tomorrow."

For this morning's foursomes, Dowling has kept the same pairings.

Mike Brisky aced the par-three eighth as he matched the 36hole tournament record of 12under-par for a 128-total in the John Deere Classic at the Oakwood Country Club, Illinois. Rain disrupted the second round and play was suspended at 8:05 p.m. with 31 players still on the course. Brisky's eight-under 62 left him three shots clear of first-round co-leader Robert Damron, Brett Quigley and J L Lewis.