Cornish table tennis player Joe Crouse marked his international debut by taking silver in the men’s class 9 singles at the European Para Youth Games in Pajulahti in Finland today and Scotland’s Ryan Henry took bronze in the men’s class 8 singles.

Crouse, 19, from Falmouth, recovered from losing the first set to beat the Italian Mirko Bruschi 3-1 in the semi-final and was beaten 3-0 (13-11, 11-9, 11-4) by Marcin Zielinski from Poland in the final.

“The European Para Youth Games has been a fantastic experience so far,” said Crouse. “I’m really enjoying the event and feel so proud to be representing Great Britain. Winning silver in my first international tournament is amazing and well beyond my expectations.

“I’m really pleased with how I played overall, especially in the semi-final against a strong Italian player. I struggled in the final against a very good opponent with a style of playing I’m not used to and that is something I need to work on. I’m looking forward now to playing the team event with Shae (Thakker).”

Henry, 22, from Ardrossan won his quarter-final against Uros Gugolj from Montenegro 3-0 and was then beaten 3-1 by Pablo Jacobsen from Norway in the semi-final, 12-10 in the fourth.

“I’m very happy to medal at my first European Para Youth Games,” said Henry. “I had some good performances throughout and had to dig deep in some matches to get the result. I’m looking forward to the team event with Theo (Bishop) and hopefully we can go even further.”

Bishop, 19, from Bury, lost a five-set quarter-final to Roberto Martinelli from Italy, 11-9 in the fifth.