Table Tennis: Lomas leads England to surprise win

ENGLAND have an unexpected chance of qualifying for the final of the European Superleague during the next six weeks after a win for Lisa Lomas and a surprise 4-1 success for the women against Hungary on Tuesday, writes James Leigh. Lomas completed this upset with a career-best performance in beating the former European champion Csilla Batorfi, 21-19, 21-16, which convinced England they can finish their group with three wins out of four.

Both Lomas and the captain, Jill Hammersley-Parker, think England are favourites to win in France on 14 December. 'Lisa is the hardest worker and she has deserved this,' Hammersley-Parker said.

For a tilt at the title to become possible, other results have to go England's way. This would mean the Netherlands losing against either Sweden on 23 November or Hungary on 18 January.