Disappointing start for GB eventers

Britain's Equestrian team made a disappointing start to the eventing at the Beijing Games with Daisy Dick and William Fox-Pitt failing to sparkle in the Dressage.

Fox-Pitt, on Parkmore Ed, was lying 11th with a score of 50.20 penalty points, while Dick and her mount Spring Along were two places further back after scoring 51.70.

Fox-Pitt, part of the team which won silver in Athens in 2004, admitted it was not an ideal opening to the competition. "I'm disappointed," he said. "He (Parkmore Ed) is capable of a lot better."

He added: "He seemed very aware of where the exit was and it was hard to keep him concentrated."

The duo's total of 101.90 leaves Britain sixth in the team event, two places in front of Ireland, who have Austin O'Connor 15th in the individual standings and Geoffrey Curran 22nd.

The field is led by British-born Australian Lucinda Fredericks, with 30.40, with her husband and team-mate Clayton second, helping their country into a commanding lead.

Scott Evans, Ireland's sole representative in the men's badminton singles, was beaten in the first round of competition by Germany's Marc Zwiebler in a thrilling clash.

The German took the first game 21-18, but Evans hit back to level the match by the same score.

Evans opened up a three-point lead three times in the deciding game but was unable to hold on to it and Zwiebler eventually prevailed 21-19 to move into the last 32.

And Irish interest in the fencing is also over after Siobhan Byrne was knocked out in the first round of the Women's Individual Sabre, beaten 15-8 by Poland's Irena Wieckowska.