The Malta A team yesterday suffered its first defeat in the European 8-ball championships at the Dolmen Hotel in Bugibba.

It was their first defeat after four matches, having beaten Scotland on Monday 11-4. Yesterday morning, Wales beat Malta narrowly 8-7.

The position at the top of the standings now sees Ireland leading with four wins and eight points, Malta and Wales second with six points from four matches, England and France with four points from three games, N. Ireland two points from four games, Belgium two points from three games, Scotland and the Channel Islands, having no points after three and four matches respectively.

Yesterday Malta also had to play against England in the evening. Today the team is to face N. Ireland.

The Malta team comprises Clayton Attard, Clint Azzopardi, Antoine Cuschieri, Mario Cutajar, Stephen Mangion and Ivan Rizzo.

In the Men’s B category the Maltese have now suffered three defeats, but yesterday clinched their first win a

9-6 score against the team from the Channel Islands.

In their opening matches, they had lost to Ireland, England and Wales. Today they face the Channel Islands and Scotland while tomorrow they are scheduled to face Belgium.

The ladies suffered the worst defeat – a 15-0 drubbing by England – in their second encounter. They are now last from bottom in their Group with one win from two matches.

Today are to play against N. Ireland and tomorrow they will be facing the team from the Republic of Ireland.

The Under 21s were not in action on Monday. They had lost their opening match against England 2-13. Today they are scheduled to play against Ireland.

The Juniors also lost their second consecutive match, this time going down to Wales 9-6. The are in bottom position in their category with zero points after two defeats.