Frankland comes up short

Scotland suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat by the Netherands in a dramatic match in the opening round of the world team championships in Melbourne. The second favourites Wales, and England – third seeds – had no problem with respective 3-0 wins over Mexico and Sweden.

Scotland suffered an unexpected 2-1 defeat by the Netherands in a dramatic match in the opening round of the world team championships in Melbourne. The second favourites Wales, and England – third seeds – had no problem with respective 3-0 wins over Mexico and Sweden.

With the score tied at 1-1, it was the former Scottish champion Neil Frankland who was set the task of rescuing victory against the unseeded Dutch team.

In a 95-minute encounter against Lucas Buit, Frankland fell way behind but staged a remarkable fightback and eventually lost by the narrowest of margins after throwing away three match balls in the fifth and deciding game.

Wales, runners-up to Egypt in Cairo two years ago, fielded all three 1999 finalists in David Evans, Alex Gough and Greg Tippings as they outclassed Mexico 3-0.

England, champions in 1995 and 1997, also won 3-0, although Paul Johnson needed five games to beat Christian Drakenberg, 9-6, 9-1, 4-9, 3-9, 9-0.