Table tennis: Schwartz earns European place

Emma Schwartz, 16, became a surprise qualifier for next month's European Championships in Birmingham when she reached the final of the qualifying competition in Brentwood, Essex yesterday with a 21-15, 21-19, 18-21, 13-21, 21-15 victory over Linda Radford. That means three juniors will represent England in the European women's singles as Sally Marling and Nicola Deaton were awarded direct entry. The other English qualifiers are Fiona Mommessin, who beat Helen Lower 21-19, 21-17, 21-19, and in the men's singles Bradley Billington and Skylet Andrew. Billington, who has a hole in the hip and has not played for England for four years, upset the England No 6 Nicky Mason 21-10, 21-13, 21-18.