MATT LE BER halted a long sequence of defeats in the WBL World Junior Cup in Hong Kong yesterday, when he hit top form to beat Ronald Lising from the Philippines, 5-12, 13-3, 2-0. Earlier, the Guernsey youngster had been beaten in straight sets by New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy, who returned a 9-6, 10-5 card.

Le Ber’s second win in eight matches meant he is now level with three rivals, who have also achieved two wins. The bad news is that Le Ber has only two matches left to play and they are against the young Aussie, Jesse McKenzie, and league leader Barry Kane, from Northern Ireland, both today.

The other three competitors trying to avoid the wooden spoon – McKenzie, Lising and Canada’s Steve Santana – have already had their rest sessions and so have three matches to play – but Le Ber has yet to have his bye, which comes in the final session tomorrow.