by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

The Chinese trio secured first place in their group courtesy of a three-nil success in opposition to the Belgian combination of Estelle Duvivier and Julie Van Hauwaert, the no.7 seeds; in the penultimate round they maintained their form to beat the Poland ‘A’ combination of Katarzyna Krolikowska and Elzbieta Kwiatowska, the no.4 seeds, a three matches to one success was the end result.

Likewise, Ruby Chan and Jasmin Wong topped their group but in a rather different manner. In their opening fixture of the day they recorded a three-two win in opposition to Hungary’s Dorottya Tolgyes and Irisz Laskai, the no.3 seeds, prior to experiencing defeat by the same margin when confronting Ireland’s Sophie Early, Silke Heinen and Nicole Scott. A three-two win for Ireland but in their concluding group phase contest it was a three-two defeat when facing Hungary.

Thus the teams were level on match ratio; games ratio was needed. England finished in first place (23:17) ahead of Hungary (18:17) and Ireland (15:22); just one team progressing to the main draw from each of the seven groups, it was the end of the road for Hungary and Ireland.

Progress for England but in the quarter-final round, it was defeat. They were beaten by the France ‘A’ pairing of Chloe Chomis and Lucie Farcy, the no.6 seeds, who at the semi-final stage confront Norway’s Martine Toftaker and Katarina Wetzel, the top seeds. First place in the group, the Norwegians received a direct entry to the penultimate round.

A quarter-final success for Chloe Chomis and Lucie Farcy; it was the same for their colleagues, Lou Frete and Lucie Mobarek representing France ‘B’. After having secured first place in their group, the no.2 seeds, they recorded a three-nil semi-final success in opposition to the Netherlands duo of Emine Ernst and Emma Van der Zanden, the no.5 seeds. China awaits in the semi-finals.

The Cadet Girls’ Team event will be played to a conclusion on Saturday 21st April.