Banbridge A and Strangford A still in the title race.

 

                                                           Owenbeg C 4 Strangford B 6

The smile on the faces of the Strangford C team members told the story of sheer delight on their victory in a match which ebbed and flowed with the result always in doubt until the last round of matches. Nuala Hynds got Strangford off to a good start with a 3.0 win over Lynn Balker but two wins of similar scores from Jenny Murray and Jason Gill made 2-1 for Owenbeg. Michael Deery even the score with his win over Lynn and winning the doubles gives the visitors a slender lead going into the next round of matches. Cormac’s win over Jenny put Strangford in the driving seat Jason narrow the gap with his win over Nuala but Strangford secured the points winning the important matches to secure victory.

                                             Ardglass 3 St John’s A 7

St John’s A chasing the St John’s B team recorded a comfortable victory over Ardglass in a match of high scoring points games. Paddy Cahir got the match underway but found the attacking game of Jim Mills to consistent losing in straight sets. Barry Montgomery improves with every game he plays, also lost in 3 close games to Terry Murphy but Don McEvoy made it 2-1 with his 3 game win over Sean Poland. St John’s won a close 5 game doubles match with Terry Murphy making it 4-1 Barry Montgomery put another score on the card for Ardglass winning another close 5 game encounter against Sean Poland but St John’s won the next 3 games to secure the points in a match that Ardglass where two close doubles contests could have changed the score line.

                                                       Strangford A 10 v Owenbeg B O

Strangford A kept their title hopes on track with a comfortable win over Owenbeg B, Marty Trainor got Strangford off to a good start with a straight win over Dan Mc Evoy Colin McKinty made it two with a similar winning score over Cairan Fitzpatrick and Joe Mc Conville completed the hat trick of wins with his victory over Manus McEvoy. Despite continuing to put good scores on the card this experienced Strangford team who were always going to be too strong for their opponents winning the remainder of matches

                                                  Banbridge A and B teams

 Banbridge A 8 Banbridge B 2.

 Matches comprising two club teams are usually played in a friendly and competitive manner and this contest was no exception. Brian Morrow stood down to give other members of the team the opportunity of competitive play but the A team were still too strong against the B team and ran out comfortable winners. Gary Smith did well to take a game off J Peniero before losing in 4 games .Lorraine Smith who continues to improve with every game she plays put excellent scores on the card against Ala and A Peniero needed 4 games to see off the challenge of Tom Neilly the won A team won the next four games to ensure the points before the husband and wife Smith duo won both matches as a consolation for their teams performance against a strong team.

 

Busy Week for the Owenbeg Club

 

St John’s B v 9  Banbridge B 1

                                                        St Johns B and Banbridge B 

League Leaders St John’s B gave Tom Garvey his début with Vincey Poland setting this one out but the result of this match was never in doubt. Tom got St John’s off to a winning start with a 3.0 win over Tom Neilly. John Magee continued his excellent form with and 3.0 victory over Lorriane Smith before Gary Smith pulled one back with his win over Brendan McGrillen. Although Banbridge continued to put respectable scores on the card St John’s won the remainder of matches.

                                                 Owenbeg A and Ardglass 

Owenbeg A 10 Ardglass 0

With Pat Mulholland unavailable it gave Peter Deeny another opportunity to get match fit and his 3 wins on the night contributed to a comfortable win for Owenbeg. Hugh Scott got Owenbeg off to a good start with a straight game win over Paddy Cahir. Peter Deeny made it two with a similar victory over Barry Montgomery and Sancton Burns getting better with every game he plays made it a 3 wins with his victory over Brandy McEvoy. It was a similar picture in the remainder of matches with Ardglass making their opponents work for their wins but in the end was unable to get a score of the card against their experience opponents.  

                                                   Banbridge A and Owenbeg B

Banbridge A 6 Owenbeg B 4

Despite the result Owenbeg were went home pleased with their performance and perhaps thinking it was a match they could have got something from with a number of close matches on the card.  Brain Morrow continued his unbeaten run in the first match of the evening against Donald Campbell who over 4 close games matched the experienced Morrow point for point before being beaten in 4 close games with only 5 points separating both players. Dan McEvoy was equally in good form coming from two games down to win in 5 against Gary Smith before Aleyah Peniero who in improving with every game played made it 2-1 with a 2.1 victory over Cairan Fitzpatrick. Banbridge increased their lead to 3-1 winning the doubles match before Morrow made it 4 with his win over Dan McEvoy. Owenbeg won the next matches for 4.3 still all to play for. Brian Morrow made in 5 with his win over Cairan Fitzpatrick and although Campbell with his second win of the night over Gary Smith closed the gap Aleyah’s 3.0 victory over Dan Mc Evoy ensured the points for Banbridge in a very entertaining match

                                                     Strangford B and Owenbeg B

Strangford B 3 Owenbeg B 7

Owenbeg  playing there second match of the week got off to a good start against the home team with Dan and Manus McEvoy winning the both their matches in 5 games against Rory Mc Swiggan and Peter Madine. Cairan Fitzpatrick made it 3 win for Owenbeg in his 3.0 match with over Michael Deery. The McEvoy’s made it  4 winning  the doubles match with Manus Mc Envoy’s  3.0 victory over Michael Deeny leaving Strangford with an impossible task of getting against from this match.  But to their credit Strangford never gave up and although Peter Madine put its teams first win on the card with 4 game win over Cairan Fitzpatrick and Michael Deery made Dan McEvoy work for his 4 game victory which secured points for Owenbeg with Madine and Mc Swiggan putting another two wins on the card for Strangford thinking what a difference it would have meant to the score line if they had won the 3 close 5 game matches.      

 

 

St Johns B remain top of the League.

 

St Johns 8 Strangford A 2.

                                                             St Johns B

Both teams went into this contest unbeaten but St John’s was always in control in this match and ran out comfortable winners. The home team quickly established a -2-1 leaded after the first 3 matches. Man of the match John Magee got St John’s off to a good start with a impressive 3.0 win over Colin Mc Kinty Brendan Mc Grillen made it two with his 3-2 victory over Marty Trainor before Joe Mc Conville pulled one back in 4 game victory against Vincey Poland. St John’s increased their lead winning the doubles match and when Magee made it 4 for St John’s with his 3.0 win over Marty Trainor Strangford knew they were in trouble. Mc Conville pulled another back for Strangford with his 4 game win over Brendan McGrillen but Vincey Poland’s straight game victory over Colin McKinty left the home team needing one more win to secure the points.  In the match of the night Magee and Mc Conville adversaries from the 80’s played out a 5 game cracker of a match with long rallies with both players finding winners from their renowned forehand but in the end it was Magee that come home in 11.5 in 5^th. Mc Grillen and Poland rounded off the evening with two more wins to maintain their St John’s unbeaten start to the League. 

Ardglass Community Centre 0 Banbridge A 10

Ardglass knew this was going to be a tough match but were looking forward to the challenge and what a fight they showed against an experience team and collectively should be pleased with their performance with 4 and 5 game scores in a number of matches. Paddy Cahir got things going for Ardglass against the Banbridge No I Brian Morrow and over the 3 game defeats can be played with the points he collected. In the second match of the night Barry Montgomery will look back of this match with Vignesh as one that got away being piped at the post in the 5^th game 12.10. Banbridge made it 4 winning the doubles match. But the next 4 matches were all fiercely contested won by Banbridge with Montgomery and Cahir were outstanding losing their matches 12-10 in the 5^th. Well done Ardglass Community Centre for an excellent performance against an experience team on this showing it won’t be too long until we see wins on the card. 

                                                  Owenbeg C 3 v Owenbeg B 7

                                                 

                                         Jenny Murray and Jenny Braniff Owenbeg C missing 

                                                          missing from the photo is Lynn Baker.

With 3 teams playing in the League and a large club membership it affords the opportunity to give their members the opportunity of competitive play and this match was the ideal opportunity. The all Ladies C team are certainly enjoying playing in the League and their dedication to practice is beginning to pay off with excellent results. The B team included father and son Cairan and Joseph Fitzpatrick with the talented Manus McEvoy.  Manus got the B team off to a good start with his 4 game win over Jenny Branniff. Lynn Baker who is really enjoying competitive table tennis scored well in her match with Joseph Fitzpatrrick before losing in 3 games and Jenny Murray in her first competitive match also scored well in her 3 game defeat against Cairan Fitzpatrick. The C team with the mother and daughter combination pulled one back winning the doubles coming from two games down to win 12.10. Jennifer made it two for the C team winning the 5th match in a straight game win over Joseph Fitzpatrick the B team won the next two matches to make it 5-2 Jennifer Branniff put another win on the card with a 3.0 win over Cairan Fitzpatrick but Manus McEvoy and Joseph Fitzpatrick two wins secured the two  points for the B team.

Strangford B 0 Owenbeg A 10

                                                     photo Strangford B and Owenbeg A

This strong Owenbeg team as expected ran out comfortable winners but the home team despite the enviable outcome enjoyed the opportunity of playing one of the best teams in the League and can be pleased putting goods scores on the card against formidable opponents.  Rory Mc Swiggan got the ball rolling against Hugh Scott and was unlucky perhaps not to win the first game losing 13-11 before Hugh won in 3 games. Pater Madine found it hard going against Pat Mulholland one of the League’s top players also losing in 3 games and the green  Cormac O’Reilly always ready to play competitively when required enjoyed the experience of playing the inform John McEvoy in his 3 game defeat. The remainder of matches all went the way of the visitors who on this form will be hard to beat.

Strangford At The Double

 

                                          

                                    Strangford B and Ardglass Community table tennis teams

Ardglass 4 v Strangford B 6

In a match attended by the League Secretary there were plenty of excellent matches on the tables from both teams. Ardglass Community club may be new comers to the League but they are certainly no strangers to competitive play with a number of their players veterans from the 80s who despite their long absence from the sport are no pushers as the Strangford quickly realised,

Paddy Cahir got Ardglass off to a good start with showing that his back hand kill has lost none of its power and accuracy winning a 5 setter against Rory Mc Swiggan 11.8. On table two Barry Montgomery another very skilful player from the same era also showed glimpses of the attacking game he was renowned for in his match with the inform Peter Madine before losing in straight games but in the 3^rd match Barry McEvoy’s 3.0 victory over Michael Deery gave Ardglass a 2-1 lead going into the second round of games.Strangford won the first two of matches to even the score line and at this stage the result was too close to call. The result of the 7^th match of the contest was important to both teams which Rory Mc Swiggan won in 4 games to put Strangford ahead before Paddy Cahir got home in 4 games against Michael Deery leaving Strangford needing to win both matches for both points Both encounters were close but in the end Mc Swiggan and Madine won both their matches against Montgomery and McEvoy for a 6.4 victory. Don McEvoy and Co has done a brilliant job in only a few weeks to have a current registration of 12 players. Make no mistake with more competitive play and the experience of the squad this club soon put wins on the card. 

St Johns A and B teams

St John’s B 2 St John’s A 8

When two clubs from the same club meet in a league match the outcome is hard to predict but from the early rounds The B team were always ahead and as the match progress there was only one winner and throughout this encounter Vincey Poland the B team captain was as in outstanding form. Jim Mills from the A team got them off to a good start with a win over John Magee  Brendan McGrillen even the score with  his won over Terry Murphy and then teamed up with Vincey Poland winning the doubles to go into the second round of matches 3-1 head. John Magee made it 4 for the A team who were now on a roll and although Jim Mills pulled one back with his win over Brendan McGrillen the B team reeled off the next 4 matches for a conformable win on the night.

                                                          Strangford A 10 Owenbeg C 0

Owenbeg knew that the League champions were always going to be too strong to get anything from this match but to their credit put up a good show throughout the match. Colin McKinty got Strangford off to winning way with a 3.0 win over Jenny Branniff Catherine Magill dedication to practice is paying off winning the first two games against Marty Trainor before losing in 5 and Lynn Barker was delighted to be playing against the League No1 and legend Joe Mc Conville and clearly enjoyed the experience in her 3 game loss. The visitors continued to put good scores on the card and despite the enviable result when home well satisfied with their collective performances.

The matches between Owenbeg teams and Banbridge were postponed.  

 

Busy Night for Owenbeg and Banbridge clubs

 

Owenbeg A & C group photo

St Johns Team 

It was a busy night of table tennis at Owenbeg with all 3 of their teams in action. This is a club that in only a short time in existence is attracting new and former players to the sport and last Monday night was no exception with the club deciding to give new players the opportunity of early competitive play

Owenbeg A 9 Owenbeg C 1.

On table the A team saw the return of Peter Deeny with Hugh Scott and Sancton Burns against the every improving C team of  Geraldine Magill  Jenny Braniff and Lynn Balker making her competitive match in the League. The B team knew that the A  team were always going to be too strong but to their credit they made the more experience opponents work for their wins and in all  matches put respectable scores on the card. With more matches and practice this team will soon see improvement on match results.

Owenbeg B 3 St John’s 7.

The Owenbeg line-up included former Strangford player Donald Campbell and despite limited practice the big forehand put two wins on the card. First up for the home side was Dan Mc Envoy against Jim Mills who has been playing regularly during the summer months Dan did all he could to stem the attacking play of Mills but got home in straight games. The next match between Campbell and Sean Poland was a very entering contest the Downpatrick man raced in to a two game lead before Poland with a mixture of attack and defence levelled the score the final game with nip and tuck before Campbell got over the line 11.8 Another newcomer for Owenbeg Cairan Fitzpatrick had the experienced Terry Murphy to deal with but despite the 3-0 for the St. Johns man can be satisfied with his performance over all. Owenbeg even the score with an impressive doubles win and added a 3^rd will with Donald Campbell’s second win of the night but this was the best the home side could manage against their more experience that ran out comfortable winners on the night.

 

                                                         Banbridge A & Strangford A & B

 In another busy night at Ballydown table tennis club when the Banbridge A team played both Strangford A and B teams. In the end Strangford A the current League champions were relieved to go home with both points when it looked like a drew was on the card but the home team was always going to be too experienced for Strangford B who to their credit made their opponents work for their wins.

Strangford A team got off to a good start with Colin Mc Kinty’s 3 game victory over Aleyah Peniero.  Geoff Smith made it one all with a similar winning score win over Marty Trainor before Joe Mc Conville‘s 3 love win over Vignesh Muthusamy made it for a 2-1 for Strangford after the first round of matches. Meanwhile the same Banbridge squad at the conclusion of their first round matches had 3 wins under their belt over the Strangford B line out of Rory McSwiggan Nuala Hinds Marion Rooney and team captain Peter Madine who played out a 5 game nip and tuck with Vignesh Muthusamy and was unfortunate to lose 13-11 in fifth. However the match with Strangford A was a much closer affair and after the first round of games the visitors were 2-1 ahead. The second round of matches was a nip and tuck affair and ended with a 4 -2 lead for Strangford going into the final round of matches. Although Banbridge managed to put two further wins on the card Mc Conville and Trainor secured a Strangford the two wins needed for a 6-4 win.

.  .

Fixtures for Season 68.

 

Week 1 : Beginning Monday 22/09/25

Banbridge B v Strangford A

Strangford B v Banbridge A

Owenbeg B v St John’s A

Owenbeg C v Owenbeg A

St John’s B v Ardglass

 Week 2 : Beginning Monday 29/09/25

Owenbeg A v Banbridge B

St John’s A v St John’s B

Ardglass v Strangford B

Strangford A v Owenbeg C

Banbridge A v Owenbeg B

 Week 3 : Beginning Monday 06/10/25

Banbridge B v St John’s A

Strangford B v Owenbeg A

St John’s B v Strangford A

Ardglass v Banbridge A

Owenbeg B v Owenbeg C

 Week 4 : Beginning Monday 13/10/25

Strangford B v Banbridge B

St John’s A v Strangford A

Banbridge A v Owenbeg A

Owenbeg B v St John’s B

Owenbeg C v Ardglass

 Week 5 : Beginning Monday 20/10/25

St John’s B v Banbridge B

Owenbeg A v Ardglass

Owenbeg C v St John’s A

Strangford B v Owenbeg B

Banbridge A v Strangford A

 Week 6 : Beginning Monday 27/10/25

Banbridge B v Banbridge A

Strangford A v Owenbeg B

Owenbeg C v Strangford B

Ardglass v St John’s A

St John’s B v Owenbeg A

 Week 7 : Beginning Monday 03/11/25

Owenbeg B v Banbridge B

Banbridge A v Owenbeg C

Ardglass v Strangford A

Strangford B v St John’s B

St John’s A v Owenbeg A

 Week 8 : Beginning Monday 10/11/25

Owenbeg C v Banbridge B

Ardglass v Owenbeg B

St John’s B v Banbridge A

Owenbeg A v Strangford A

Strangford B v St John’s A

 Week 9 : Beginning Monday 17/11/25

Banbridge B v Ardglass

Owenbeg C v St John’s B

Owenbeg B v Owenbeg A

St John’s A v Banbridge A

Strangford A v Strangford B

 Free week : Beginning Monday 24/11/25

 Week 10 : Beginning Monday 01/12/25

Strangford A v Banbridge B

Banbridge A v Strangford B

St John’s A v Owenbeg B

Owenbeg A v Owenbeg C

Ardglass v St John’s B

 Week 11 : Beginning Monday 08/12/25

Banbridge B v Owenbeg A

St John’s B v St John’s A

Strangford B v Ardglass

Owenbeg C v Strangford A

Owenbeg B v Banbridge A

 Christmas break.

 Week 12 : Beginning Monday 05/01/26

St John’s A v Banbridge B

Owenbeg A v Strangford B

Strangford A v St John’s B

Banbridge A v Ardglass

Owenbeg C v Owenbeg B

 Week 13 : Beginning Monday 12/01/26

Banbridge B v Strangford B

Strangford A v St John’s A

Owenbeg A v Banbridge A

St John’s B v Owenbeg B

Ardglass v Owenbeg C

 Week 14 : Beginning Monday 19/01/26

Banbridge B v St John’s B

Ardglass v Owenbeg A

St John’s A v Owenbeg C

Owenbeg B v Strangford B

Strangford A v Banbridge A

 Week 15 : Beginning Monday 26/01/26

Banbridge A v Banbridge B

Owenbeg B v Strangford A 

Strangford B v Owenbeg C

St John’s A v Ardglass

Owenbeg A v St John’s B

 Week 16 : Beginning Monday 02/02/26

Banbridge B v Owenbeg B

Owenbeg C v Banbridge A

Strangford A v Ardglass

St John’s B v Strangford B

Owenbeg A v St John’s A

 Week 17 : Beginning Monday 09/02/26

Banbridge B v Owenbeg C

Owenbeg B v Ardglass

Banbridge A v St John’s B

Strangford A v Owenbeg A

St John’s A v Strangford B

 Week 18 : Beginning Monday 16/02/26

Ardglass v Banbridge B

St John’s B v Owenbeg C

Owenbeg A v Owenbeg B

Banbridge A v St John’s A

Strangford B v Strangford A

 Free week : Beginning Monday 23/02/

 Notes

1.      Matches should start at 8pm unless by prior agreement.

2.      Score cards should be sent to the League Secretary via social media ie Email/whatsapp within two day of matches being played with a photo of both teams.

3.      Free weeks have been scheduled in the fixtures to allow for catch up ie Matches that has been postponed.

4.      Teams should be as per League registration available on request by opponents.

5.      Score Sheets can be downloaded by the Lecale League WhatsAPP or League Blog.

 

Jim Ritchie

League Secretary