by Ian Marshall, Editor

Crucially to secure top spot in the men’s team event, a 3-2 win was recorded against the no.3 seeds, the Nigerian outfit formed by Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun and Azeez Solanke; a contest which after the opening two matches appeared to be destined for an African victory.

Olajide Omatayo beat Muhamad Muhamad Rizal (9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5), before Bode Abiodun accounted for Wong Qi Shen (11-6, 11-5, 11-3). However; that was the end of Nigerian success. Leong Chee Feng overcame Azeez Solanke (11-8, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9), prior to Muhamad Muhamad Rizal prevailing against Bode Abiodun (4-11, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-7) and Wong Qi Shen sealing victory with success in opposition to Olajide Omotayo (11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8).

Defeat for Nigeria but their only defeat and thus progress to the second stage; in both the men’s team and women’s team events, outfits finishing in first and second positions advance.

Success in the men’s team event against the third seeds, it was the same for Malaysia in the women’s team competition; a 3-1 win was recorded against the Australian combination of Feng Chunyi, Melissa Tapper and Peng Kai, a team effort being very much the order of the day.

Feng Chunyi gave Australia the ideal start by beating Ho Ying (4-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9) but defeats for Melissa Tapper against Alice Chang (11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 14-12) and in opposition to Ho Ying (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9) in addition to Peng Kai against Tee Ai Xin (4-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5) cost the Australians dear.

First place contrary to status for Malaysia, in the women’s team event, it was the same for England; the combination formed by Tin-Tin Ho, Denise Payet and Emily Bolton accounted for the no.4 seeds, Nigeria’s Cecilia Akpan, Offing Edem and Ajoke Ojomu. A 3-1 result was the outcome with Tin-Tin Ho beating both Cecilia Akpan (11-9, 11-5, 11-7) and Offing Edem (11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-9).

Otherwise, for the leading teams it was first place.

In the men’s team event, top seeds, England represented by Tom Jarvis, Sam Walker and David McBeath finished in first place in their group as did the second seeded Indian combination of Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Sharath Kamal Achanta and Harmeet Desai.

Meanwhile, in the women’s team competition, selecting from Eunice Zoe Lim, Goi Rui Xuan, Wong Xin Ru and Zhang Wanling, Singapore, the top seeds, secured first place in their group; a situation that applied also to the no.2 seeds, India who selected from Manika Batra, Archana Girish Kamath, Akhyika Mukherjee, Madhurika Patkar and Sutirha Mukherjee.

Play in the second stage takes place on Thursday 18th July.

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Detailed Results (Wednesday 17th July)