TABLE TENNIS: Kong conquers England

Kong Ling Hui, the man tipped as a future world champion, led China to revenge over England with two successes that helped the visitors to a 4-2 victory in the second of the six-match series at St Austell last night, writes James Leigh.

The 19-year-old Asian champion won 22-20 in the final game against the Commonwealth silver medallist Alan Cooke and 21-19 in the final game against Alex Perry, a former English junior champion.

Kong had been sidelined with a stomach upset when England won 4-2 at Woking on Wednesday and his presence this time tipped the balance. Even so, England would have escaped with a 3-3 draw had Matthew Syed won the final match against Li Jing, whom he bea t at Woking.