Young makes an outstanding debut

TABLE TENNIS

Terry Young, the 16-year-old who went 97 matches unbeaten this season, made an outstanding international debut as England began the defence of their Commonwealth title with two successes in Singapore yesterday.

On current evidence Young looks to have a good chance of marking his first tournament for England with a gold medal. The Berkshire teenager won his opening two matches against Sri Lanka in a 4-0 victory and ended the day with three wins out of four as a 4-1 victory over Northern Ireland left England virtually certain to qualify for the second stage of the team event.

The top-seeded men would achieve that today if they beat Australia, which would leave them top of their group.

England's women, seeded second, also won twice, 4-1 over Mauritius and 4-2 over Canada and are also on course to win their group.

Lisa Lomas, the former European silver medallist, won all three of her matches but Barbara Chiu, the world No 75 from Canada, beat both the English champion, Andrea Holt, and the former English champion, Alison Gordon.