Squash: Double triumph for England

ENGLAND successfully defended the European Team Championships yesterday when the men's and women's squads beat Germany in both finals at the Dekker Club, Zoetermeer, the Netherlands.

Tony Hands, of Essex, Philip Whitlock, of Devon, Jason Nicolle, of Hampshire, and Stephen Meads, of Berkshire, secured England's 19th men's title when they won 4-0. England's women, Suzanne Horner, of Yorkshire, Cassie Jackman, of Norfolk, and Fiona Geaves, of Gloucester, won a 17th successive championship for the cost of just one game in the tournament in their 3-0 victory.

The surprise of the day came from the Scottish men who collected a bronze medal when they beat France 100-99 on points countback in a 2-2 draw.

With Peter Nicol, the

national champion recording his 25th successive victory in national colours, the Scots took the two top strings but went down in the lower order.

It was Martin Heath, the new recruit from Oban, who clinched the medal with a courageous chase for the first four points of his fifth game against John Elstob.