There was more disappointment for the Irish team at the World Squash Championships in Kuala Lumpur yesterday when they lost their 13th-16th place play-off match to France.

Derek Ryan kept up his 100 per cent winning record in the championships by beating Thierry Lincou in a marathon five-set match but Maurice Collins went down in straight games to Stephane Galifi and his brother Chris let a 2-0 lead against Renan Lavigne slip to lose in five games. Ireland's final match today was against Scotland for 15th and 16th places. Meanwhile England stayed on course to retain the team title after a stunning 3-0 victory over Australia in the semi-finals. Simon Parke beat World Open champion Rodney Eyles in straight games, Del Harris had an equally comfortable victory over Brett Martin with only Chris Walker dropping a game in his 3-1 win over Craig Rowland.