THE Irish under-16 and under-18 teams had comfortable victories in their opening matches of the girls Home Nations hockey tournament at Belfield yesterday.

Captain Jenny McDonough set up goals either side of half-time for Eimear Cregan and Lindsey Bevins to give the Irish under-16 team a 2-0 win over Scotland. Meanwhile at Serpentine Avenue, a last-minute goal by Kate Roberts gave Wales a surprise victory over title holders England.

Later in the day at Belfield, the Irish under-18 team took a 2-0 lead against Scotland after just six minutes. Katharin Maybin scored the first from a short corner in the fifth minute and a minute later captain Linda Caulfied hit the second with a perfectly struck shot from another short corner.

Esme Murphy's fine run into the circle 15 minutes into the second half led to another short corner from which Caulfield's shot was deflected home by substitute Carley Morrow.

Caulfield, Curtin, Murphy and Stephanie Hall were outstanding in an impressive Irish team that meets Wales at Belfield today before a potential title decider against England tomorrow.