Lomas injury dooms England

Table tennis

England predictably crashed out of the European Women's Cup in Coesfeld, Germany, after an injury to Lisa Lomas prevented the country's No 1 player from competing in last night's group match. The hosts enjoyed a 3-0 victory over England, who had been beaten 3-1 by Russia in an earlier group match. Lomas had given England some hope with a brave 23-21 10-21 21-18 win over Russia's Galina Melnik before a thigh muscle injury forced her to pull out after only 10 points of her game with Irina Palina. But she could only watch as her team-mates were humbled by the Germans last night.