Carey Leads Wales Into Games TT Quarter-Finals

Wales booked their place in the quarter-finals of the women’s table tennis at the Commonwealth Games after a win over Sri Lanka.

Charlotte Carey won both her games 3-0 as Wales saw off their opponents 3-1 to finish second in their pool.

The win set-up a last eight encounter with their unbeaten hosts Australia at the Oxenford Studios later on Friday.

Coach Steven Jacobs said: “It means everything to us to reach the quarter-finals.

“The girls had amazing team spirit.

“We’ve never made a semi-final before so we’re only one match away from making history.

“I trust in them because they’re so talented. I believe in everything they do. They work well together because they’re all good friends.”

Abergavenny’s Carey gave Wales the perfect start as she thrashed Erandi Warusawithana 3-2.

Next up was 11-year-old Anna Hursey who came back from a two sets deficit to narrowly lose 3-2 to Ishara Badu Manikku.

The Sri Lanka won the first two sets 11-9, 11-7 but the Cardiff schoolgirl responded winning the next two 11-7, 12-10.

That set-up a final set decider which her older opponent won 11-7.

But Hursey, who had won her doubles match against Indian on her Games debut on Thursday, then teamed up Chloe Thomas.

The duo easily won their doubles encounter 3-0 before Carey sealed the quarter-final spot winning her match again without dropping a set.

Carey said: “It was great to have the support of the girls and the Welsh fans, that gives me a lot of confidence, thriving on the atmosphere.

Thomas, also from Abergavenny, said she relished playing with HUrsey.

The 23-year-old said: “We feed off each other, we help each other through the match.”