Updated at 7.55pm
GREAT BRITAIN AND Ireland will go into Sunday with a narrow two-point lead as they look to defend the Walker Cup at Royal Lytham.
Nigel Edwards’ team came storming out of the blocks during in the first session on Saturday but were pegged back by the Americans in the afternoon singles.
Great Britain and Ireland lead 7-5 after a dramatic set of matches which ultimately saw the teams the home team edge closer to the 13 points they require to defend the famous trophy.
But Paul Dunne was unable to continue his fine form as he lost both of his games.
The Greystones amateur decided against turning professional until after this weekend in order to play in the prestigious event but he’s yet to produce the form which saw him lead the Open after 54 holes in July.
Dunne and Gary Hurley slipped to a 3 and 1 defeat in the foursomes and he then lost out to Hunter Stewart in the second session.
Earlier, the English pair of Ashley Chesters and Jimmy Mullen set the tone as they defeated Maverick McNealy and Stewart 3 and 2 at the famous links course and Cormac Slavin, from Northern Ireland, and Scotland’s Jack McDonald followed suit.
They recorded a 5 and 4 victory over Jordan Niebrugge and Robby Shelton while a clean sweep was on the cards when the Irish duo of Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan continued their team’s dominance.
However, Dunne and Hurley suffered their first defeat together in nine matches.
Hurley added half a point to the total while Gavin Moynihan recorded a 4 & 2 victory over Niebrugge in the final match of the day.
Sunday sees two more sessions with foursomes in the morning and a full set of singles matches in the afternoon.
