From Mike Rowbottom at the Manchester Regional Arena

Leos Lacina_2R_of_Czech_Republic_throws_during_the_pairs_Boccia_match_alongside_team_mate_Petr_Hubalovsky_L_and_Stephen_McGuire_R_and_Peter_McGuire_2L_24-05-12May 24 - British pair, Stephen and Peter McGuire, made a successful start to their final preparations for the London 2012 Paralympics by defeating the Czech Republic in today's boccia international match at the BT Paralympic World Cup.


The Scottish brothers defeated their opponents 2-0 overall in the BC4 event at the Manchester Regional Arena thanks to a 7-1 pairs win – which also featured team-mate Jamie McCowan – and Peter's individual victory with the same scoreline against Leos Lacina.

In between, 27-year-old Stephen (pictured above, far right and below, right), who is currently the world number two, was held to a 2-2 draw in his individual contest by Radek Prochazka (pictured below, left).

It was the first time GB's BC4 players had been given a competitive run out this year.

"The Czech Republic are a really good outfit – they were [bronze] medallists at the Beijing Paralympics, so we knew it would be tough," said Stephen.

"Going on that performance with less than 100 days to go [until London], we are pretty pleased.

Stephen McGuire_and_Radec_Prochaska_May_24
"Radek is a great athlete – he was European champion in 2009.

"So I knew what I was up against, but likewise he knew he was in for a tough match.

"'Training is going really well and now our first competition of the season has gone really well too.

"In 10 days time we are off to Portugal for the Portuguese Masters and there will be six out of the top eight countries that will be going to London competing at that event.

"It will be like our test event, so we will be able to gauge where everyone is at."

Asked about his confidence of medalling in London, Stephen said: "If we keep up our consistency and play like that, then there is no reason why we can't."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2012: Three sets of brothers included in latest ParalympicsGB selection list 
October 2011: Superb Smith leads Britain to four medals at Boccia Europa Cup in Norway
June 2010: Triple silver for British boccia players