Squash: Ireland out of World Ch'ship

Ireland lost 3-0 to Canada to miss out on a quarter-final place in the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

England and Scotland will start slight favourites to reach the semi-finals.

Veteran Chris Walker and newcomer Lee Beechill claimed the points as England sneaked a 2-1 victory over Wales to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

Scotland also went through with a 3-0 win over Finland. Australian-born John White clinched the win when he came from two games down to beat Olli Tuominen 7-9 6-9 9-5 9-3 9-7 in a thrilling 85-minute match.

Martin Heath had given the Scots the lead when he beat Mika Monto 9-4 9-2 9-3 and then Neil Frankland won the dead rubber 4-9 9-7 9-6 to set up a quarter-final against South Africa.

Wales, the number two seeds and runners-up two years ago, had suffered a shock defeat to South Africa in the round robin stage to set up the tantalising all-British last 16 clash against England, the number three seeds.

Walker beat world number 13 Alex Gough 9-3 9-0 9-7 in just 40 minutes to take the first game for England.

David Evans then hit back to win the top string match 4-9 9-3 9-6 9-3 against Mark Chaloner, but British champion Lee Beechill was always going to be too strong for Greg Tippings in the third string.

The Yorkshireman, competing in his first world championships, needed just 24 minutes to clinch the match 9-0 9-2 9-3 and send England through to a quarter-final against Malaysia, who beat Germany 2-1.

‘‘I wanted to play well and give us a good start, and that’s the way it worked out,’’ said Walker. ‘‘It’s good to go through and now we must have a good chance of reaching the semi-finals.’’