ST HELENS-born squash player Patrick Rooney and his mixed doubles partner Georgina Kennedy were beaten 2-0 (8-11, 6-11) by Australia’s Zac Alexander and Rachael Grinham in the round of 16.

Rooney had exited the singles earlier in the week, and the 25-year-old expressed his disappointment but looked forward to more doubles together with Kennedy.

He had been looking for a medal at the home games in Birmingham.

Rooney said: “I thought we played well, it's very disappointing that we lost 2-0. We know they are very experienced in doubles.

“We are learning as we go and we are looking forward to playing more doubles together.”

Kennedy said: “I felt alright out there, I don't think the [gold medal in] singles affected the outcome of that match. Pat and I were just talking about the amount of training we do for singles.

“We have had to show up today without having practised all week and we are playing against a really experienced duo who have won medals before and have been training all week, so it is hard to back yourself.”