Mosconi Cup: Europe power into 9-6 lead after dominant third day at York Hall

Darren Appleton: Gave Europe the perfect end to day three

Team Europe moved within two points of retaining the Mosconi Cup after winning four of the five matches played on Wednesday night.

After trading blows in the opening two encounters, Europe won three successive points to surge 9-6 ahead of USA heading into the final day.

Nick Ekonomopoulos and Nick van den Berg joined forces against Mike Dechaine and Brandon Shuff in Wednesday's opening contest, which saw the Europeans come back from 4-3 down to win 5-4.

USA veteran Johnny Archer hit back with a 5-4 win over Nick van den Berg, but that was to be America's last success of another highly-entertaining evening at York Hall.

Ekonomopoulos and Niels Feijen moved Europe into a 7-6 overall lead after winning the final doubles match 5-4 against Mike Dechaine and Dennis Hatch.

It was then time for English duo Chris Melling and Darren Appleton to take centre stage in the singles.

Keighly cueman Melling stunned Brandon Shuff 5-2 before world No.1 Appleton whitewashed Shane van Boening 5-0.