Sting too far for Molyneux

Irene Molyneux, the England international who on Wednesday won the Women's All-England Triples title for the fourth time, was brought down to earth by a bee in the preliminary rounds of the singles at Leamington Spa yesterday.

Molyneux, attempting to win a record-equalling eighth All-England title, was stung on the finger during her match against Sue Lee from the North Walsham Private Club, Norfolk.

The finger began to swell and Molyneux crashed to a 21-9 defeat, wrecking her hopes of taking the singles crown for the first time. The singles is the only major English title to have eluded the Oxford City and County player.

After the match, Molyneux had to be taken to hospital to have a ring removed from her swollen finger.