England were disappointingly knocked out of the main draw at the World Junior Championships in Manama, Bahrain after a 3-1 defeat to Belgium.

They began the tournament with a regulation 3-1 win over minnows Canada with Liam Pitchford winning against both Louis Wong and Pierre-Luc Theriault, while Sean Cullen’s 3-2 win over James Pintea meant the English boys progressed to face Belgium.

However, Belgium were to prove a tougher challenge with Cedric Nuytinck beating both Gavin Evans and Liam Pitchford to send England to defeat.

The English boys will now face hosts Bahrain in the positions 9-20 play-off tournament while Belgium have progressed to face the plum-tie of China.

Team results:

England 3-1 Canada

L Pitchford bt L Wong 3-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-6)

PL Theriault bt G Evans 3-2 (7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10, 11-9)

S Cullen bt J Pintea 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-8)

L Pitchford bt PL Theriault 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7)

Belgium 3-1 England

C Nuytinck bt G Evans 3-1 (6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7)

L Pitchford bt R Devos 3-2 (6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8)

E Vanrossomme bt S Cullen 3-1 (9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3)

C Nuytinck bt L Pitchford 3-1 (12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 12-10)