English stars all safely through in Stuttgart

THE English contenders all made safe progress through the opening rounds of the European Table Tennis Championships in Stuttgart.

Ormesby teenager Danny Reed was the most impressive winner, going through in straight games against Armenia's Mesrop Ghukasyan, 11-5,11-5,11-3,11-6.

The 19-year old also teamed up with Israel's Ron Davidovich to defeat the Maltese pair of Daniel Vella Fondicaro and Daniel Bajada in the opening round of the doubles.

Meanwhile, Darius Knight came through his first round encounter with Cypriot Panagiotis Neofytou in four games to earn a second round showdown with Hungary's Daniel Zwickl.

Paul Drinkhall, who won nine of his 11 matches in the team competition earlier in the week, had a first round bye and faces Dutchman Michel De Boer in round two.

The Welsh contingent in Germany was less successful as Ryan and Stephen Jenkins both crashed out, although Patrick Thomas booked his place in the second round with a victory against Ylli Prestreshi.

Welsh number one Adam Robertson received a bye to the second round but has a tough ask to progress past Germany's ninth seed Christian Suess.

There was misery for the Scottish players as well with Craig Howieson, Gavin Rumgay and Stewart Crawford all slipping to defeats in Stuttgart.