The final first round match took place in the 2006 PartyPoker.com World Cup of Pool this evening at the Newport Centre and it was second seeds Holland who progressed despite a brave showing from Team Scotland.
Holland, made up of European Nos. 2 and 3, Niels Feijen and Nick van den Berg respectively, showed their worth as they overcame the Scottish side of Michael Valentine and Pat Holtz who gave it a good go but a succession of clinical run outs by the Dutch was the difference between the two teams.
Holland can look forward to a round two match up against Vietnam who won unconvincingly earlier today.
'Unfortunately we got off to such a poor start going 4-1 down so they were very relaxed, said Pat Holtz post-match.
"They are definitely a very strong team though and have plenty of experience on these types of conditions. I think they can go all the way and it will take a very good team to stop them,' he said.
The first last 16 match saw the Philippines get the better of Malaysia in what was initially a close encounter. The Malaysians stayed with the dynamic duo of Reyes and Bustamante in the early stages before the Filipinos, backed by a big expatriate crowd, pulled away.
'But we played good enough - we missed some balls, but the most important thing is the win.
The crowd was great and they prayed for me and Efren! It was good support though and we really appreciate all the Filipino people in the UK coming out to cheer for us,' said Bustamante.
'It's hard to say if we will win the tournament but we can play well and if we make the final, maybe we can win,' added Reyes.
In the final match of the evening, Team USA advanced ominously to the quarter final stages with an ultimately easy victory over the home countries remaining team - England B comprised of Steve Davis and Daryl Peach.
The early stages were tight and at 3 all there was everything to play for but some schoolboy errors coupled with the American pairing of Rodney Morris and Earl Strickland stepping up a gear saw the match swing dramatically for Team USA.
First Round
Finland 9 - 5 Ireland
Italy 9 - 2 South Africa
Vietnam 9 - 8 Croatia
Holland 9 - 5 Scotland
Second Round
Philippines 9 - 5 Malaysia
USA 9 - 3 England B
Friday 25 August from 2pm
Taiwan v Japan
Russia v Hong Kong
Canada v Czech Republic
Finland v Italy
Germany v Spain
Holland v Vietnam
