Squash: Ireland into last 16

Ireland reached the last 16 of the world team squash championships in Melbourne today with a 3-0 victory over Hong Kong.

The Irish, led by world number 31 Derek Ryan, will play Canada, led by world number two Jonathon Power, in the next round.

Second seeds Wales suffered a shock defeat to South Africa but will face third seeds England at the world team championships in Melbourne.

The Welsh fielded the same team that finished runner-up to Egypt in Cairo two years ago but only David Evans, last year’s British Open Champion, managed to secure a point, beating Rodney Durbach 9-4 9-5 9-2.

World number 13 Alex Gough lost to world number 102 Glenn Whittaker, and Greg Tippings slipped up 9-6 2-9 9-2 9-5 in the decider against Michael Toothill.

England, after dropping a point to Pakistan in the previous round, were able to rest top player Mark Chaloner and still whitewashed Kenya 3-0 to top pool C. Chris Walker, Paul Johnson and Lee Beechill all won easily in straight games.

Scotland, with world number seven John White winning his first match of the championship 9-3 9-5 9-1 against Gerhard Schedlbauer, completed pool E with a 3-0 drubbing of Austria and go through to meet Finland.