4 Dec 2010

New Zealand squash team gutted after loss

9:26 am on 4 December 2010

The New Zealand women's squash team suffered heartbreak at the 2010 Women's World Team Squash Championships in Palmerston North, losing their semi-final 2-1 to top seeds England falling one win short of making the final.

The fifth seeded New Zealanders looked to have all but booked a spot in the title decider, with the two teams square at 1-all and golden girl Joelle King winning the first two games in the deciding match against Laura Massaro.

But the English world number nine somehow came back from the dead, to record a stunning five set victory.

Shelley Kitchen had given New Zealand the early advantage with a 3-1 win over Tania Bailey and she couldn't hide her disappointment after the loss.

England will face the second seeded Australia in the final after their 2-1 win over Malaysia in the second semi-final.