A vibrant night of Superleague this week saw a large , appreciative crowd witness a third successive title for Hong Ming Zhang. In effect, 4 truly top class overseas players , who would match any of our country's finest, battled it out for top spot and the £280 prize fund. Notable absentees were Ding Yi (injured), Pan Li Chun (playing in the Olympic qualifiers) and John Holland who showed characteristic sportsmanship in stepping aside when we found we had 33 players for 32 places !

Three 5 set thrillers decided the outcome on the night. First Shuying Xu was 2 games up in her quarter-final with Filip Szymanski before losing a titanic struggle 11-8 in the fifth. Shuying constantly amazes all of us with her ability to find yet another gear when the occasion demands. This time she gave the Pole who has not lost in this country the fright of his life.

The next thriller again featured Szymanski in his semi-final with Hong Ming Zhang. A mouthwatering prospect as the 2 players share 4 Superleague titles and no defeats. Another 5 set classic ensued with the European two games down before snatching the third game 12-10 and then the fourth 11-6. With the Pole leading 4-2 in the fifth, drama unfolded as his Chinese opponent collapsed with cramp and needed an extended period of treatment. All bets would have been on Szymanski to force home his advantage but Hong Ming Zhang , despite his discomfort, fought back with some ferocious left-handed loops to win the final game 11-9.

Hong Ming's final opponent was no 1 seed Chang Hong Jiang. Virtually unknown in England until he arrived a few weeks ago, he has the same pleasant nature and friendly smile of his compatriots. No doubting his ability and he reached the final without dropping a game against Luke Walsh, Jimmy Walsh (rather unkind on the Walsh family), Chris Doran and Wang Zheng. A final between 2 team mates can often lack edge but yet another seesawing match saw some fine rallies and Hong Ming inflict a first defeat on Chang Hong, coming from 2 games down to win 11-6 in the fifth. His third title and toughest test by far in Superleague.

It's been a long wait (and taken a fair bit of persuasion !) to finally get the popular Natalie Bawden into our competition and in fairness she's had an awful run of injuries this season. However, she showed it's been well worth waiting for with as good a debut as anyone could have imagined. Starting with a close 5 game win over ever-improving Rachel Jamieson, her scalps included Chris Doran at 11-7 in the fifth, and her 2 defeats were both to Chinese opposition. Her last one to the incomparable Shuying meant that Shuying finished a fine fifth. Natalie surely exceeded even her own expectations finishing sixth behind 4 Chinese players and Szymanski with the memorable distinction of being the highest placed finisher (male or female) from these shores.

Chris Doran, fresh from England duty, continues to catch the eye and finished an impressive seventh. His results included a superb 4 game win over England no 21 Hubert Noah. Billy Deville at 11th and Reece Tan at 14th, both managed to shine in this company and look assured of glittering futures in the game. With Luke and Natasha Walsh and Wing-Yung Chan all making their debuts , we see Superleague as a great competition for blooding the most ambitious juniors.

SUPERLEAGUE meets again on Tuesday March 11th.

Neil Brierley