Comonwealth Games: Round-up: Allcock gains the advantage

TONY ALLCOCK, the world champion, cleared the first hurdle in his quest to take the Commonwealth singles title yesterday when he won his opening game by a hair's breadth while Rob Parrella, the defending champion, lost.

Allcock beat the gritty New Zealander Gary Lawson 25-17 after an umpire had to be called to adjudicate on the final shot which Allcock required for victory. The Briton is on course to reach Wednesday's semi-final, where he is scheduled to meet Parrella, should the 50-year-old former taxi driver get through. The Australian was philosophical after defeat, however, and suggested that his setback should not prove an obstacle. 'I lost one last time as well, it's just one of those things,' Parrella said.

Scotland, who were upset at not being seeded, were beaten 4-1 in the badminton competition by Australia, who reversed their defeat in the World Championships in Birmingham last year and are one of the favourites to reach the final.

England's bid to win the gymnastics team gold for the first time failed when Paul Bowler aggravated a groin injury during his floor routine.

The team were leading when Bowler had to retire, putting too much pressure on his three team-mates. Despite an inspirational display from Neil Thomas on the floor, England finished with a bronze, behind Canada and Australia.

England and Scotland were on target at the shooting range, collecting five medals. Scotland's Shirley McIntosh and Pat Littlechild came within a whisker of gold in the women's rifle prone pairs, finishing two points behind the winners while England's Chris Hector and Nigel Wallace were disappointed with silver behind Canada in the air rifle pairs. Carol Page and Margaret Thomas in the pairs sport pistol, and Michael Gault and Paul Leatherdale in the pairs free pistol scored bronze for England. David Rattray and Robert Law won bronze for Scotland in the air rifle pairs behind Hector and Wallace.