Hong Ming Zhang Zaps Jiang Chang Hong
In perhaps the best super league final I have witnessed, the speed of Hong Ming Zhang whizzing loops past Jiang Chang Hong faster than a laser beam. This was exceptional and a very impressed crowd enjoyed what has to be the best mid-week table tennis anywhere in the UK. Surely, you would think the presence of Hong and Jiang would encourage England's better players to come down and challenge the Progress starlets. Xu Shuying / Wang Zheng came joint 3rd, with Wang also an impressive talent but perhaps not quite up to the standard of Hong & Jiang. Hong, incidently, can be viewed on the ETTA's youtube website.

Fighting Like Dogs

This leaves essentially 5th place becoming the old "1st" as the best of the rest are left fighting for the lives for the remaining positions. Zac Zilesnick, from Barnet TTC, had been on the BBC, on Blue Peter the previous Tuesday (4th March) and it was a shame the improving Zac was not present to take on some of Super League's best. Reece Tan and Costat Papantoniou were left to fly the flag for Barnet, with both impressing. Reece with an excellent win against Zoltan Hosszu to finish 19th and Costas, well what can I say? Everyone watching the final, marvelling the talents of Hong Ming Zhang, the speed, the agility,the reactions, unbelievable. Mr Papantoniou then able still to distract the whole audience (Costas v John Holland was the only other match going on at that time for 5th place). A huge outburst worthy of the title "strop of the year" came when Costas missed a smash when the game was sitting at 2-1 to Holland in sets and 12-12 in the 4th. Holland then took the game 3-1 avenging a recent victory for Costas who's improved results are noted. Perhaps, it is the practice with Costas' two sons at Barnet who are certainly both improving and will be competing in Super League no doubt very soon. Congratulations to Mr Papantoniou for his performance, his shorts and his humour in entertaining the crowd. Screaming at one point no less than "Fight like a dog, come on" - literally unshaven for days, one would not be surprised were Costas to get down on all fours and start biting barriers.

Becker than Beckham

Paul Beck had a blinder. Unlike his namesake David who has failed to impress by moving to the USA for his footballing exploits, Beck played more like an inspired Boris Becker taking his first Wimbledon title at the age of 17. Beck with wins against Matt Spero 3-0, Neil Charles 3-2 & Liu Meihan 3-0. All particularly impressive with Paul's ranking shooting through the roof.

Emran elevating to Essex superstar!

Steve Kerns recently talked about Billy Deville as one of the most improved players in the South of England, one has to surely add Emran Hussein to this list finishing a credible 10th losing out only to John Holland and narrowly to Jimmy Walsh 3-2. Beating Oscar Selfridge in Round One 3-2, Matt Spero 3-2 and Peter Radford 3-0. Emran winning the Band Two Singles at the North Herts 2* on 8th/9th March, adding to his growingly copious collection of ETTA glassware. He is starting to make solid progress towards the top 100 in The England Mens National Rankings. One would think a top 16 Super League player for many years to come.

Best of The Rest

Martin Kubrt was blinding in filling in for the usual ever present Fred Dove in acting as Barry's deputy. Granger is even rumoured to have enjoyed a thai chicken stick from the excellent buffet in the upstairs viewing arena. Indeed, the refurbishments at BATTS are something to look forward to. Will Cooney had a credible finish in 14th, losing out narrowly to Matt Spero but having a pretty solid game with Whang Zheng. Cooney almost certainly would have taken the first leg, had Whang not got an edge. Cooney, looking on, looks forward to making his racketlon debut in the upcoming championships in Birmingham. Aeron Fennell, amongst others, have enjoyed a recent dabble with four racket sports. Rachel Jamieson, clearly improving, couldn't quite manage a victory finishing 16th. Thus it is questionable whether the organisers will continue to seed the Ladies above the Men in such cases and whether the ranking percentage used to mix the Ladies with the Men is 100% accurate. No report is complete without mentioning Abdul Wuraola, finishing 7th losing out narrowly like Neil Charles to a "doglike" Costas Papantoniou, however finishing strong to beat Niall Cameron for 7th. Indeed the Scottish Table Tennis wizzard in 8th place is unused to being the 8th strongest player on a Tuesday night knock up. Ordinarily, in Scotland such quality practice is not available thus Cameron clearly taking time to adjust to the atmosphere, spirit and standard. Scraping past Matt Spero 11-8 in the fifth in round 2, after being 6-2 down! However, winning the Mens Singles at the North Herts Open over Mark Simpson (who knocked out Abdul in the semi) is credible.

See you next time!

KL