St Johns A and Banbridge B

St Johns A and Banbridge A

St John B 7 Banbridge B 3

Banbridge welcomed back to the game Brian Morrow and he quickly should that he had lost none of the talent that made him such a formidable player by winning his 3 games in a young Banbridge side. Tom Gravey opening for St John’s quickly won the first 2 games against Morrow but he was up against a very experienced opponent who may be short of competition but he showed that he had lost none of his attacking prowess and squared the march. The final game was too close to call before Morrow got over the line 11.9.Sean Poland showing that his dedication to practice is paying off with his 4 game win over Vigngsh to even the score with Jim Mills making it 2-1 for St John’s with his win over Gary. St John’s won the next 3 games to clinch victory before Morrow completed his hat trick of wins on the night with a 4 game win over Sean Poland. Well done Banbridge B who made their more experienced opponents work for every point.

St John’s 2 A v Banbridge 8

With both clubs fielding strong teams it was an action packed pack encounter and although a number of matches were close the Bridge ran out conformable winners. Marek Szotkiewicz got the ball rolling for St John’s against the formidable opponent in Tiago Souto. It was the blistering attack of Tiago v the athletic retrieving of Marek which Tiago won in straight games. On the adjoining table Arnold Morgan had established a two games lead over John Huyton who fought back to take the 3rd the 4th was a nip and luck game which in the end Morgan got over the line 17.15. New comer Erdan worked hard against the topspin game of Jimmy Sterling before going down in straight games. The visitors made it four winning the doubles and although Marek pulled one back for St John’s in a close 5 game win over Morgan Sterling made it 5 for Banbridge with a 3 love win over Huyton. But the next match secured the points for Banbridge when Souto defeated Erdan in straight games. Marek another win on the card for St John’s in his match with Jimmy but two further wins from Morgan and Souto ended a night of very enjoyable table tennis which despite the result the home team can be pleased with their performance against a very strong Banbridge team

Busy night at Strangford table tennis club

This lively encounter at the home of the oldest club in the League was another never in doubt result with a strong the A team which included the Legend Joe Mc Conville with the experienced Colin Mc Kinty and John Mc Cusker in the lineout But it also gave the club the B team rotational squad of players the opportunity of competitive play. Peter Madine the B team captain relished the opportunity of playing former League number one Joe Mc Conville in the first match of the night and can be pleased with the score line against such an experienced opponent. Cormac O Reilly who continues to show that age is no barrier to competitive sport did equally well against John Mc Cusker and did another debutant Rory Mc Swiggan in his match with Colin Mc Kinty. The B team continued to score well in the remainder of games and can be pleased with an overall 195 point total against formidable opponents. As the season progresses it won’t get any easier for Peter Madine’s squad but there ready for the challenge.

Owenbeg A 8 Owenbeg B 2

This was a lively good humoured encounter between home team Dan McEvoy knew that with double title holder Mulholland the attacking prowess in the A team his B team were always going to struggle but to the teams credit they made the A team work for their wins and can pleased with their overall performance. Pat Mulholland got the ball rolling for the A team with a straight game win over Dan Mc Evoy unlucky not to take the first game going down 17-15. Hugh Scott started well against John McEvoy winning the first game to 4 but back came McEvoy with taking the second game to 6. On it went with both players sharing the next two games for a 5th game decider before Scott claimed victory 11.6 in a match where only a 3 point winning margin. New comer Jason Gill made it 3 for the A team with a straight game win over Eugene Mc Neill. The second round of games all went the way of the A team to ensure both points with the McEvoy brothers two consolidation wins was a just reward for an excellent B team performance

67th Season Starts on Monday the 28th

Fixtues and all relevent information has now been circulated to club secretaries. On behalf of the League committee may I take this opportunity to wish all clubs a very enjoyable and succesful campign. Jim Ritchie League Secretary