by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In the title deciding contest, Hong Kong ‘A’, the top seeds, beat Hong Kong ‘B’, the no.4 seeds, by three matches to nil; a contest that was arguably closer than the score-line may suggest, three of the four matches went the full distance.

Backbone of the victory was Chau Wing Sze. She accounted for Karen Lee Hoi Man in the opening match of the fixture (12-10, 11-7, 10-12, 7-11, 11-6), before in the contest that brought matters to a close, overcoming Ng Wing Lam by the very narrowest of decisions (6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9).

Sandwiched in between, Ng Win Lam had beaten Lee Ka Yee (6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7) to level matters before Poon Yat had restored the advantage for the champions elect by overcoming Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam (11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8).

Earlier with no changes to the line-up, Hong Kong ‘A’ had beaten the combination of the Czech Republic’s Martinas Novakova, Iran’s Elina Rahmi and Sri Lanka’s Hasali, Sanaya Budfdhadasa by three matches to nil, prior to recording a three-one semi-final success in opposition the Chinese Taipei outfit of Huang Yu-Jie, Jhuang Jia-Yu and Tsai Yun-En, the no.3 seeds.

Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw; Hong Kong ‘B’ had secured three matches to one victory margins at both the quarter-final and semi-final stages.

In the round of the last eight, they overcame the selection formed by Malaysia’s Kuan E. Xian and Karen Lyne who joined forces with Singapore’s Jacy Mok Hoi Ching, prior to reserving their place in the final by defeating the second seeded Thailand ‘A’ Team trio of Thanathnan Choosattayanond, Pakawan Karnthang and Nanapat Kola.

Matters concluded; attention now turns to the Cadet Girls’ Singles event; play commences on Friday 12th May.

Photos: Nakares Terakashimi