Three Teams Share Top Spot

 

                                                          Owenbeg C & St Johns A

Owenbeg C 1 St Johns B 9.

St John’s B was always going to be too strong for the Ladies of Owenbeg but despite the result they should be pleased with the team performance with impressive scores in all their matches. Jenny Branniff got match underway against the Vincey Poland still one of the League’s top players before losing in straight games. Geraldine Magill also scored well in her game against the improving Brian Mc Grillen and Lynne Blaker in her first season of competitive play also enjoyed every point won against Stephen King both losing in 3 games. St John’s won the next 4 game to secure the points with Jenny Braniff win over Stephen King was consolation for an excellent team effort.

Banbridge B 1 Ardglass 9

Ardglass is improving with the every game they play which leaves club captain Don McEvoy with the problem of who to leave out from a growing squid of experienced players. Banbridge started well with a 4 game win by Gary Smith over Paddy Cahir but wins by Gareth Heaney over Lorriane Smith and Barry McEvoy against Daryl Hunter put Ardglass on their way and although Banbridge made their more experienced opponents work for their wins they were unable to get on the score sheet in the remainder of matches to ensure a comfortable win for Ardglass.

                                                          Owenbeg A & B teams

Owenbeg B 1 Owenbeg A

A match with teams from the same clubs usually is good honoured with plenty of banter and this encounter was no exception. The result was never in doubt but Owenbeg B is another team with improving results and although they were only able to put one win on the card Manus, Cairan and the experienced Donald Campbell all scored well with a number of 4 and 5 game matches. In the first match of the night Manus McEvoy lost straight games to Peter Deeny one of the League most successful players and will benefit from the experienced gained. Cairan Fitzpatrick did well to take a game of Hugh Scott and Donald Campbell always a formidable player if his forehand smash is on target played out a nip and tuck 5 setter with John McEvoy losing 11. 7. The A team won the next two matches for a 5.0 lead before Donald Campbell put a win on the card for the B team in his 4 game victory over Hugh Scott but the A team won the  remainder of matches to secure victory.

Strangford A 9 Strangford B 1.

In the second match of the week that involved two clubs teams saw another comfortable win for the A team. Joe McConville which is usually always the case put his team off with a win on the card in the first match of the evening against the improving Rory McSwiggan. Marty Trainor made it two with his victory over Michael Deery and Colin Mc Kinty completed the hat trick with his 4-1 win over Peter Madine. Rory and Peter pulled one back with a excellent doubles win over Joe and Marty but despite putting a couple of 4 and 5 game encounters the B can be pleased with their performance.

 

 

Busy week for League contenders

 

LECALE LEAGUE REPORT WEEK 8

St Johns B 2 Banbridge 8

St John’s staked their claim for the League title with a victory over Banbridge A.  John Magee who has been in outstanding form this season got his team off to a good start with a close 4 game victory over Brian Morrow. Geoff White made it one all in another nip and tuck contest with Brain McGrillen and Tom Garvey made it 2-1 with his straight game win over Vignesh. Banbridge made it 2-1 all following a 5 game doubles win this contest which looked at this stage would to go to the wire. John Magee restored the St John’s lead with his 3 game victory of Geoff White and Brian Mc Grillen another St John’s player on form with a win over Vignesh it 4 -2 but Banbridge wasn’t finish yet and Brain Morrow came from 2 games down to win over another 5 game match against Tom Garvey and although Brain put another win on the card for Banbridge but two further wins from Mc Grillen and Garvey ensured both for St John’s

Owenbeg A 7 St John’s A 3

Owenbeg on home ground are a formidable team were too strong for St John’s. Pat Mulholland 3.0 win over Terry Murray got Owenbeg on their way Peter still not at his best was too good for Sean Poland. Jim Mills got St John’s off the mark with a 3.0 victory over John McEvoy. Owenbeg then won the next 3 matches for 5.1 lead and although wins from Terry Murphy and Jim Mills put another 2 wins on the Peter Deeny and John McEvoy two wins ensure a comfortable win for Owenbeg       

Owenbeg C 2 V Banbridge B 8

Another very enjoyable encounter watched by the League Secretary  The Owenbeg Ladies team of mother and daughter of Jenny Murray and Jennifer Braniff with Geraldine McGill really enjoyed there table tennis and did the Banbridge combination of husband and wife Gary and Lorraine Smith with the improving Tom Neilly. Banbridge won the first 4 matches before Jenny Braniff got on the score sheet for Owenbeg with win her over Lorraine Smith.  Banbridge and Tom Neilly made it 5-1 with his won over Geraldine Magill  Jenny senior got her second win of the evening in a 5 set victory over Tom Neilly but two further wins by the Smith due made it a comfortable victory the Bridge. Well done both teams on an enjoyable match.

                                                                 Ardglass v Owenbeg B

In a match which could have gone either way two 5 set games decided the outcome. involving Ardglass No I Barry Montgomery opened  for Ardglass but lost a close 5 setter to Dan Mc McEvoy Paddy Cahir evened the score with his 3.0 game win over Manus McEvoy and Patrick Shearer made it 2-1 for Ardglass with a similar winning score against Cairan Fitzpatrick. The doubles victory gave Ardglass a 3-1 but Manus McEvoy in probably one of the best wins of his career won an epic 5 set match with Barry Mongomery. But still plenty to play for Ardglass won the next two games leaving Owenbeg needing to win the final 3 matches to share the points which the trio duty obliged for a 5 all result.

                                                              Strangford B O v St John’s 10

Against an experienced team Strangford knew that St John’s was always going to be too strong against a very experienced team. Rory Mc Swiggan got the match going against Sean Poland winning the first game before losing in 4. Nuala Hynds also ready to play competitively can be pleased with her scores against Terry Murphy before losing in straight games and Cormac O’Reiily another player who continues to turn back the years can also be please with his performance against the spin of Jim Mills also losing in 3 games. The remainder of games all went the way of the St John’s collectively Strangford never gave up and individually and as team can be pleased with the performance.

 

 

Three clubs in contention for League title.

                             

                                       Owenbeg B v Banbridge B  5 each Draw.

This match was a lively encounter between to equally balanced teams and although the result ebbed and flowed throughout the encounter with the draw a fair outcome.  Dan McEvoy got the match under way with losing a 3 game match to Gary Smith. Inform Manus McEvoy made it one all with a similar winning score over Lorriane Smith with Cairan Fitzpatrick win over Tom Neilly putting the home side 2-1 in front in a nip and tuck 5 game match. Banbridge evened the score card winning the doubles match before the Dan McEvoy increased his team lead with his win over Lorraine. The match condition with wins and losses for both team before reached the point share total. But Banbridge wasn’t finished yet with Gary and Lorriane Smith ensured that they would go home with a well deserved share of the points winning both matches

  Owenbeg A 6 St Johns 4       

This postponed match result was important to both teams a win for St John’s would see them go into the first half of the season break as league leaders while a win for Owenbeg would place them on level terms with number of teams. John Magee who has been unbeaten got Owenbeg off to a good start with a straight game win over Pat Mulholland Hugh Scott made it one all with a close 3 game win over Brian McGrillen and Peter Deeny in the team for John McEvoy made it 2.1 for Owenbeg with his 3.0 win over Vincey Poland. St John’s evened the score winning the doubles and John Magee increased St John’s lead with his victory over Hugh Scott. Peter Deeny again levelled the score with second win on the night over Brendan Mc Grillen the next match between Mulholland and Poland was to prove crucial to both teams  in a 5 game encounter with never more than a point or two separating both players Pat got home 11.8 to put his team ahead. Peter extended the Owenbeg lead to 2 games with his close 3 game victory over John Magee before Mulholland’s win against McGrillen ensured the points for the visitors.  

                                                      Strangford B 2 St John’s B 8

Playing there second match of the week St John’s ran out comfortable winners against a battling performance from the home team. Rory McSwiggan got the match underway against John Magee and although the result was never in doubt he can be pleased with his scores against a very experienced player losing in straight games. Equally Peter Madine started well against Brendan Mc Grillen before losing in 4 games and Marion Rooney also ready to step in to competitive play when required fought back from two games down to lose 11 8 in the 5^th well done Marion. Strangford’s winning the doubles kept them in the match but St John’s won the next 3 matches to ensure the win with Rory McSwiggan over Stephen King consolation for his team.

Ardglass 2 Strangford A 9

Ardglass gave another excellent display against the current League champions putting two excellent wins on the card. Barry Mongomery got the match underway against Colin Mc Kinty losing in 4 close games. Strangford made it two with Marty Trainor’s win over Gareth Henvey and Don McEvoy was pleased to take a game in a four game defeat to the current Individual Champion Joe Mc Conville. Strangford won the next 3 matches to ensure the points with two consolation wins for Ardglass coming from late in contest.

 

 

 

 

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.