Defending cham pions Bang lade sh Blman retai ned the men's team title with astonishing ease when they beat Bangladesh Ansars in straight sets in the final of the Econo eighteenth national table tennis championships at the Jcssore gymnasium yesterday.

Blman. boasting a number of national players to their ranks, started the bestof-ftve final In style when Mosaddequl Huq Roehl, defending men's champion, easily got rid of Munna of Ansars 21-13, 21-17, to take the airlines tearfl one up.

But Rochi s teammate former national champion Nasimul Hassan Kochi almost squandered the lead before narrowly escaping with a 2-1 victory over Happy. Roehl began the match confidently taking the first set 21-16 but was totally outplayed in the next match. Happy, playing almost a flawless game In the second set. levelled the score with a 21 12 victory. In the third set, both Kochi and Happy started cautiously and fought for each and every point taking the set to deuce . Koch! kept his cool to snatch the set 22-20.

Saldul Haq Sadi wrapped up the final with a comfortable 21 19. 21-13 win over

Mustafa.

Earlier in the semifinals, Blman beat BTMC and Ansars eliminated Dhaka DSA in straight sets.

It was a doubly disappointing day for Bangladesh Ansars as their boys' squad was also beaten In the final by Dhaka DSA In a four-setter.

Mahbub was Dhaka s hero winning two singles matches. First he edged Hamlet of Ansars 21-18, 19-21, 21-15. in a hard-fought match and then got rid of Rubel 21-16, 21-19.

His teammates Manash and Shaon had antithetic experi-

cnees Manash beat Rubel 21 -9. 21-15 but Shaon had no such luck against Sagar

After conceding the first set 19-21. Shaon made a remarkable fightback with a 21-14 win to draw level However, he could not save the match as he was beaten ’ 19-21 after putting up a brave challenge In. the deciding set

Bangladesh Ansars were stretched to four sets in their semifinal encounter against hosts Jessore DSA while Dhaka did not have much of a problem in taking care of Tangail DSA in straight sets In their semifinals