Owenbeg A pipped at the post by St Johns

Banbridge A & B

Owenbeg suffered their first defeat of the season in a nip and tuck encounter that was decided on the last match of an exciting night of table tennis. In the first match of the night Hugh Scott lost in 3 games to the inform Jim Mills. But Pat Mulholland made it one all in his match with Sean Poland winning by a similar margin. Jason Gill who is improving with every match he plays lost a close 5 setter with Terry Murphy 11-8 for a 2-1 lead it was the start of a number of close matches that would eventually decide the outcome of this encounter. St John’s made it 3-1 winning the double match. Owenbeg made 3-2 with Hugh Scott’s straight game win over Sean Poland and Pat Mulholland evened the score with his second win of the night with a 3-0 victory of Terry Murphy. This match was going to the wire. Jim Mills restored St John’s lead with his 3-0 win over Jason Gill but again Hugh Scott came to his side rescue with Terry Murphy. Pat Mulholland knew that his match with Jim Mills was crucial but the St John’s stalwart 4 game win left Jason Gill to beat Sean Poland to ensure a share of the points. Jason started well and opened a 2 game lead but Poland knew what was required and won the next 3 games to ensure the points for his team. Strangford A 9 Owenbeg 1. Owenbeg knew that Strangford on home turf were a formidable team and so it turned out but full credit to Owenbeg who made them work for every point. Joe Mc Conville as usual for the home team against John McAvoy who is improving with every game he plays and was delight to take the first set of the former League No 1 before losing in 4 games. Colin McKinty made it two with his 3-0 win over Eugene McNeill and Newcomer Geraldine Magill in her first league match did well against Marty Tranior before also losing in straight games. Welcome to League competition Geraldine. Strangford won the next 3 matches to ensure the points before John McAvoy put a win on the card for his team with a 3-1 win over Marty Tranior. Well done Owenbeg B you can be pleased with a great team performance. Banbridge A 8 v Banbridge B 2 In another battle of the home teams Banbridge A ran out comfortable winners against their B team although they were a number of close matches on the night. In the first match of the evening the A captain Brian Morrow got his side off to a good start with 4 game win over Gary Smith who then made it one all with his win over wife Lorraine Mervyn Cairns made it 2-1 for the B team with his win over Vignesh Muthusamy before the A team won the next 2 matches for a 4-1 lead. Mervyn put another win on the card for the B team over Geoff Smith. Brian completed his hat trick of wins beating Mervyn in a close 4 game before Geoff and Vignesh made completed the evening with two wins for the A team