The top four seeds in the Men’s Team event at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, being stage in the Scottish city of Glasgow, were all in the fast lane in the opening group matches on the morning of Tuesday 19th May 2009.

Singapore, India, England and Canada all recorded three-nil victories.

Led by Gao Ning, with Yang Zi and Pang Xue Jie in support; the no.1 seeds, Singapore, proved too strong for the Cypriot trio of Andrea Tziambos, Marios Yiangou and Andreas Tziambos; whilst likewise class told in the duel involving India.

Subhajit Saha, Sharath Kamal Achanta and Sourav Chakrobary proved far too experienced at international level for Mauritius.

England
Similarly, England, seeded three, controlled matters against Northern Ireland with Danny Reed and Paul Drinkhall giving England the perfect start by recording respective wins against Peter Graham and Paul McCreery before Daruis Knight brought matters to an end with victory over Daryl Strong.

However, the Knight was tested; he needed the full five games to secure victory.

Comfortable wins for the top three seeded teams and likewise for the fourth.

Canada
Canada with Pradeeban Peter-Paul, Xavier Therien and Homayoun Kamkar-Parsi on duty showed their intentions from the start; the overcame the New Zealand trio of John Cordue, Nathan Lowe and Kevin Wu in style; the only player to surrender a single game being Kamkar-Parsi. He was extended to four games by Kevin Wu.

Success for the top four teams and also success for Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Australia; all recorded three-nil wins.

Wins
Scotland (Gavin Rumgay, Craig Howeieson, Stewart Crawford) defeated Malta (Matthew Micallef, Daniel Bjada, Mark Azzorpardi), South Africa (Shane Overmeyer, Theo Cogill, Luke Abrahams) proved too strong for the Isle of Man (Scott Johnaon, Adam Teare, Paul Corran) whilst Wales (Ryan Jenkins, Adam Robertson, Steven Jenkins) overpowered Guernsey (Garry Dodd, adam Langlois, Paul Hainsworth).

Not to be outdone, Australia (Robbie Frank, William Henzel, Kiet Song Tran) defeated Jersey (Craig Gascoyne, Paul Marshall, Trevor Lefebvre).

Image by Ayoade Ademakinwa