England and Scotland to meet in badminton's semis

29 July 2002

England and Scotland will meet in Monday’s semi-final after dramatic wins over Malaysia and Australia.

Gail Emms and Jo Goode secured England’s victory with a three set defeat of Lim Pek Siah and Aang Li Peng to spark wild celebrations at the Bolton Arena.

Earlier Emms, partnering Nathan Robertson in the mixed doubles, beat their opponents in the opening match without conceding a point.

Defending Commonwealth Games champion Wong Choong Hann beat Colin Haughton (ENG) and Wong Mew Choo defeated Julia Mann (ENG) to give Malaysia a 2-1 lead.

But the home crowd inspired an England comeback and Robertson and Anthony Clark beat Choong Tan Fook (MAS) and Chan Chong Ming (MAS) in four sets after recovering from 6-1 down in the fourth.

Scotland got off to the perfect start in Group B as Russell Hogg and Kirsteen McEwan narrowly defeated Travis Denney (AUS) and Kate Wilson- Smith (AUS).

Australia’s singles players, Stuart Brehaut and Lenny Permana, hauled their team back into contention, but Hogg and Graeme Smith (SCO) levelled the tie with victory in the Men’s Doubles.

Sandra Watt and Yuan Wemyss secured at least a bronze for Scotland with a win over Wilson-Smith and Rhonda Cator of Australia in the final match.

The other match in Group B ended in a 4-1 victory for Jersey over the Maldives.

Info News Service/sh/tb/sdb