Busy week with all teams in action. This weeks report also includes matches played in week 16.

 Strangford  A 8 Ardglass 2

Strangford kept themselves in the title race with a win over an Ardglass team that is improving with every game they play. But on this occasion Strangford were always in control of this match and ran out comfortable winners. Colin McKinty got Strangford on their way winning a close 5 game match against Barry Montgomery 11.8 in the 5^th. Marty Trainor made it two with his straight victory over Paddy Cahir and Joe Mc Conville 3-0 win over Gareth Heaney completed the hat trick of wins on the round of first single matches. The doubles was also won by Strangford and Colin Mc Kinty with another 5 games singles win making it 5 love. Gareth Heaney in the first of his two wins won a 4 game match against Marty Trainor but Joe Mc Conville’s win over Barry Montgomery secured victory for Strangford.  

Banbridge B 7 Owenbeg B 3

Banbridge B secured a comfortable win over Owenbeg B who has been in good form recently but never really got going in this match where Banbridge in perhaps their best result of the season. Gary Smith got Banbridge off to a good start with 2 single wins over Dan and Manus McEvoy. Derek Reay made it 3 with 3.0 victory over Cairan Fitzpatrick and with the visitors also winning the doubles Owenbeg knew their chances of getting anything from this match was unlikely. But Manus McEvoy who has been in excellent form recently pulled one back for Owenbeg with his win over Lorraine Smith who in the her next match secured a 4 game victory over Cairan Fitzpatrick to take her teams tally to 5 with Derek’s Reay’s 5 game win over Dan McEvoy secured the win for Banbridge.

Owenbeg B 8  Ardglass 2

Another team in top form is Owenbeg B who climbed the table with another comfortable win with Donald Campbell and Manus McEvoy in top form each with 3 wins with 3 wins that ensured a comfortable win for Owenbeg.  Donald got Owenbeg on its way but had to come from 2 games down in the opening match with Paddy Cahir to win in a close 5 game victory. Manus McEvoy made it two with his 3.0 win over Barry McEvoy and Cairan Fitzpatrick completed the hat trick on singles with a similar winning score over Brendan McEvoy. The doubles match also was won by Owenbeg and two more wins by Donald and Manus sealed the points for the home team with Paddy and Brendan McEvoy putting two wins on the card for Ardglass.  

Strangford A 2 Owenbeg A 8

Strangford knew that they needed to get something from this match to stay in the title race but were up against the Owenbeg A team in top form who ran out comfort winners. Colin McKinty in the opening match found Peter Deeny’s attack game difficult to counter and lost in 3 games. John Mc Cusker in the team for Marty Trainor scored well in his match with Hugh Scott but also lost in straight games. Joe Mc Conville pulled one back for Strangford with his 3 game victory over Pat Mulholland. The doubles match was by Owenbeg for a 3-1 lead Colin Mc Kinty 4 game win over Hugh Scott kept his team in the match But despite a number of close games Strangford were unable prevent a comfortable win for the Owenbeg.

Banbridge A 5 St Johns B 5.

In the match of the week this encounter on paper would have been difficult to call as the result of early 5 games encounters would prove crucial in the eventual outcome.

The opening match between Brain Morrow and John Magee was a cracking encounter and at the end only one point separated them. John stated well winning the first two games the next two went the way of Brian the 3^rd game was neck and neck throughout the 5^th with Magee getting home 12-10 to give St John’s the start they needed. The second match was also a nip and tuck 5 game affair between Brain McGrillen and Geoff Smith. Brain won the first game Geoff the second with next two games shared before Brain got home 12-10 for a 2 love lead. Matilda Crosier in her first outing for Banbridge was up against the formidable backhand of Vincey Poland and although she manage to take the first game 12-1O Vincey went on to take the next 2 to leave St John’s 3 up. The Bridge knew that the doubles match was crucial but St John’s quickly establish a two game lead before Morrow and Crozier took the next 3 games to close the gap but still all to play for.  Morrow made it 3-2 with his win over McGrillen but when a win is needed Vincey Poland is a formidable opponent to play and his 3 game victory over Geoff made it 4 -2. John Magee increased the lead to 5 with his win over Matilda with one more match needed to secure victory.  But Banbridge knew what they had to do to get anything from this match but 3 wins was a big ask  but the trio of Brian Geoff and Matilda duly obliged to earn the draw. St John’s will look back at this match as the one that got away in what was the best match of the season so far. Congratulations both teams on an excellent night of table tennis.

St Johns A 10 Strangford B 0

Strangford knew that that this experienced St John’s team were always going to be strong but as always they enjoyed the experience on playing against such a opponents. Terry Murphy put the first win on the card with a straight game win over Rory McSwiggan Jim Mills is on top form at present mad two with a similar winning score and Sean Poland who is never far from a table these days completed the hat trick on wins in his match with Cormac O’ Reilly who is always available when his team need him. The rest of matches were all won by St John’s but all credit to Strangford who managed to take a game here and there in the remainder of matches and made the journey home satisfied with the team performance.

 

Banbridge B 10 Owenbeg C O

The Ladies of Owenbeg C is another team who play for the enjoyment of the sport irrespective of the result and this match was no exception.  Gary Smith got things underway against Jenny Branniff with a close 3 love win. Lorraine Smith recorded a similar winning score in her match with Geraldine Magill and Tom Neilly completed the first round of singles matches also with a 3 love win over Jenny Murray. The match continued as expected with Banbridge always in control and despite the eventual result Owenbeg can be pleased with their individual and team performance.

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 15 Results

                                                            Strangford B and Owenbeg C

Strangford  B 7 Owenbeg 3                                                                      

Strangford got off to a good start with Rory Mc Swiggan coming from 2 games down to win a close 5th 11.7 against Jenny Braniff. The first of two newcomers to the League Tim Ford made it two with a straight game victory over Geraldine Magill. Owenbeg C latest recruit Paul Phillips made it 2-1 with his win over Cormac O’Reilly. Strangford extended their lead to 3-1 in a 4 game doubles win and the next two singles matches.  Jenny Braniff put another win on the card for Owenbeg with her 3.0 win over Cormac but Rory’s with a similar winning margin over Paul  ensured the points for Strangford with the two remaining matches shared wins which concluding a night of excellent play from both teams. Welcome to the League Paul and Tim.

Owenbeg A 10 v Owenbeg C O

Owenbeg were always going to win this home match but give The C team credit they enjoyed playing their club mates and the experience of playing competitively against strong opposition will improve their game. The score line didn’t really matter but over all they can be pleased with the scores they put on the card.

St Johns A v Ardglass 3

This was a lively encounter against Ardglass with 4 and 5 games a feature of this match. Terry Murphy put the first win on the card for St John’s with his 5 game win over Brendan McEvoy, Barry McEvoy evened the score with his in 5 game victory over Sean Poland and Don McEvoy made it 2-1 for Ardglass win over Jim Mills. St John’s made it 2 all winning the double match Terry Murphy made it 3-2 with his 4 game win over Barry McEvoy but Ardglass squared the match with Don Mc Envoy’s second win over Sean Poland and looked like they would kick on and with the finish line in slight, But St Johns had other plans and won the next 4 matches to secure the points leaving Ardglass reflecting on a match where they should at least shared the points.

                                                     Banbridge and St Johns A

   Banbridge B 1 St John’s A 9

St John’s concluded their second match of the week with a convincing win over Banbridge B. Following their tough match with Ardglass ever in the week this was a match where the result was never in doubt. Terry Murphy put St John’s first win on the card with a straight game win over Gary Smith Sean Poland made it two with a similar winning score line against Lorraine Smith and Jim Mills completed the trio of first round matches with his 4 game win over Tom Neilly. St John’s made it 4 winning the double match in a close 5 game before Gary Smith put his team’s first win on the card with his 5 game victory over Sean Poland and despite putting good scores on the card in the remainder of matches St John’s ran out comfortable winners. 

 

 PADDY Mc Conville

The Lecale League committee would like to take opportunity to express our sincere sympathy to the family of Paddy Mc Conville. Paddy who died on the 31st of January had a long association with the Strangford table tennis club and the Lecale League from its early days. On behalf of the League and our members we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the  McConville family at this sad time. 

               

 

                                                                                          

                                                                

 

 

No Change At The Top. Report for week 14 commencing 19/1/26

 Banbridge B 4 Banbridge B 6

Matches that involve teams from the same club can be close affairs and although the A team would have started favourite the B team were lucky not to share the points. Brian Morrow got the A team on its way with straight game win over Gary Smith Aleyah made it two with a similar score victory over Lorraine Smith but Tom Neilly 3-0  win over Brain Dawson made it 2-1 after the first round of single matches. The A team extended their lead to 3-1 with a close 4 game doubles win and another win by Aleyah over Gary made it 4-1.  But the B team comeback started with Lorraine 3-0 win over Brain Dawson but Brain Morrow’s victory over Tom stretched the A team to 5 and although Gary prevented the A team from reaching the 6^th win needed for the two points Brain Morrow’s win over Lorraine ensured both points to keep Banbridge A still in the title race with a couple of tough matches still to play.

St John’s B 8 Owenbeg 2 brought forward from week 16.

League  leaders St John’s B continued their unbeaten run with this comfortable win over Owenbeg C. Tom Garvey now a regular in the team got St John’s off to a good start with a 3-O win over Jason Gill  Brendan Mc Grillen and  Brian Curran wins over Geraldine Magill and Lynne Bilkin ? made it 3 wins for the home team. St John’s increased the lead to 5 -0 before Jason put a win on the card for Owenbeg against Brain but Tom and Brendan wrapped up the points with their wins over  Lynne and Jason with Geraldine Magill putting another a much deserved second win for Owenbeg in a 5 game victory over Brain Curran.

Owenbeg B 8 v Strangford B

This Owenbeg Team continues to improve with every match they play with all the team players in excellent form. But Strangford B can also be pleased with their performance and can be pleased with the scores they put on the card in all their matches. Dan McEvoy got Owenbeg off to a good start with his 4 game win over Rory Mc Swiggan Manus McEvoy put a similar winning score on the card in his match with Pater Madine and Cairan Fitzpatrick competed the first round of singles matches with his 3-O win over Michael Deery. Owenbeg made 4-O winning the doubles match before Peter Madine pulled one back for Strangford with his straight game win over Dan Mc Evoy. Owenbeg made it 5-1 but another excellent result by Rory over Cairan with the remainder of matches going the way of the home team.

Ardglass 0 Owenbeg 10

While the result of this encounter was never in doubt Ardglass in their first season in competitive play enjoyed the experience of playing against the experienced team of Owenbeg. Don McEvoy started for Ardglass against Peter Deeny who is slowing returning to the form that made him such a formidable player and despite the result enjoyed the opportunity of playing such a formidable opponent.  Brendy Mc Evoy did well to take a game of Pat Mulholland in a close 4 game match and Barry Montgomery can also be pleased with his performance against the inform Hugh Scott before losing in straight games. Ardglass continued to make opponents work for the points they collected and put a couple 5 and 4 games on the card and overall Ardglass can be pleased their the team performance.

League title race hotting up.

  Owenbeg A 10 Banbridge B 0

                                                           Owenbeg A v Banbridge B

Despite the result against a strong home team Banbridge B scored well in all their games. Pat Mulholland got Owenbeg on the way with a straight game win over Gary Smith Hugh Scott made it two with a similar winning score over Lorraine Smith and John McEvoy completed the hot trick with his 3 game victory against Brain Dawson. The remainder of matches all went the way of Owenbeg but Banbridge can take consolation from their overall performance against an experienced team.

                                                               Ardglass v Owenbeg C

 Ardglass 8 Owenbeg 2

The all Ladies team of Owenbeg C gave another excellent display against a rotational Ardglass. Jennifer Branniff In the first match of the night got her team off to a good start with her 4 game victory over Barry McEvoy before Patrick and Matthew Sheridan won the next two matches with wins over Geraldine McGill and Jennifer Murray. But despite continuing to score well in all matches the home team won the next 5 match against Patrick Sheridan.

                                                          Banbridge B v Strangford B

Banbridge B 5 Strangford B 5.

Strangford were delighted with the point they got from this match against an improving Banbridge B playing their second match of the week. Gary Smith put the first win on the card for Banbridge with a 4 game win over Peter Madine. Lorraine Smith who improves with every match played out a marathon match with Roy McSwiggan before losing in the 5th game. Brain Dawson made it 2-1 for Banbridge against the affable Michael Deery for a 2-1 lead. Strangford's doubles win squared the match before the husband and wife Smith team won their next two single matches to put their side in the driving seat. But Strangford hadn't given up this match yet and Peter Madine kept his team in the match with a 4 game win over Brain Dawson Gary Smith got his team to the finishing line with his 3.0 win over Michael Deery with Strangford needing two wins from the next two matches to share the points which Rory and Pater duly secured for a 5 all score. Well done both teams for what would appear to be a very enjoyable night of table tennis from both teams.

Strangford A

 Strangford A 6 St John’s A 4

 Strangford A kept their title hopes alive with this vital win over St John’s B. St John’s started well with Terry Murphy's close 5 game win over Colin McKinty. Marty Trainor, evened the score with a similar winning score Sean Poland with Joe McConville making 2-1 for Strangford with 3 game victory over Jim Mills. Strangford increased their lead with a  doubles win for 3-1 before Sean Poland closed pulled one back in a 3 love win over Colin McKinty. In important match Marty Tranior got home 13-11 5th game in match with Terry Murphy Joe Mc Conville 3 love win over the same player made it 5 -2 Jim Mills but another two wins on the card to close the gap with Strangford needing the final match of the night to secure both points. But when you in this position there is no better match player than Roller Mc Conville probably the best scrapper for points in the League  and ensured that his team got over the line with a straight game win over Sean Poland for a 6-4 victory.

 

                                                                     St Johns A

St John’s A 8 Owenbeg B 2.

St John’s ran out comfortable winners in one of their best performances of the season although Owenbeg were unfortunate not to put more wins on the card with in a number of 5 game encounters. Sean Poland got St John’s off to a good start in a close 5 game match with Dan McEvoy. Jim Mills made it 2 in another 5 game match with the Manus McEvoy a young man with a big future in the sport who can be pleased with his performance against a senior player.  Terry Murphy made it 3-O with his 4 game win over Ciaran Fitzpatrick who also improves with every game he plays. Owenbeg halted the St johns winning run winning the doubles but the home team won the next 5 games to secure the points before Manus McEvoy straight game win over Terry Murphy for Owenbeg’s second win of the night.

 St John’s B 10 Owenbeg O

In a double header St John’s B kept their League title hopes on tract with a comfortable over Owenbeg B. Skipper Vincey Poland decided to sit this one and give Tom Garvey who has been playing senior league table tennis for the past few seasons a run out in the team. In the opening match John Magee came from one game down to get home in 4 against Dan McEvoy Tom Garvey would have expected to have won the next match comfortably against Manus McEvoy but in probably in his the best performance of the season matched Tom  point for point losing  in 5 games by 5 points.  Well done Manus. Brendan Mc Grillen made it 3 for St John’s in a comfortable straight game win over Ciaran Fitzpatrick. In the remainder of matches Owenbeg continued to put good scores on the card but were unable to record a win. But over the two matches never gave up and can be pleased their team performance.

 

 

 

Busy Week for Banbridge teams

                                   

                                     Owenbeg A  L-R Hugh Scott Peter Deeny John McEvoy

Peter Deeny got his team off to a good start with a 3 game victory over Brian Morrow. Hugh Scott who is in excellent form at present made it two with another straight game win over Gary Smith and John McEvoy also enjoying a period of excellent form completed the first round of singles wins for Owenbeg his 3-0 result against Tom Neilly Owenbeg continued their good run of results winning the next 3 matches to ensure the points with two wins for Brian Morrow and one from Tom Neilly as consolation for Banbridge.

Owenbeg B 6 6 Banbridge v B 4 

With Donald Campbell in the side Owenbeg B are a formidable team and his 3 wins on the night ensured both points for his team. The first match of the night was a cracker between Donald Campbell and Brian Morrow. When these two met recently it was Brian who emerged the winner in a close 5 setter and this match also went the distance. Brain won the first 11-5 Donald the second 13-11 the next two games were shared in the 5^th it was point for point all the way before the Owenbeg man got home 13 -11. Manus McEvoy a young man with a big future in the sport made it two for the home team in another 5 game nip and tuck match with Gary Smith for 2-1 this match was going to be too close to call. Tom Neilly made it 2-1 in his 4 game win over Cairan Fitzpatrick. The doubles also when the way of the home team for a 3-1 lead Donald and Manus won the next two matches with one more needed to secure both points. Brain added another win on the cards for Banbridge but Donald Campbell secured both points for Owenbeg with his win over Tom Neilly with Banbridge winning the last two matches in what was a very entertaining match that could have gone either way.

                                                      Banbridge A and Ardglass

Banbridge A 7 Ardglass 3.

 Banbridge ended their 3^rd match of the week with a win. Brain Morrow got the Bridge off to a good start with a straight game win over Barry Montgomery. Aleyah made it two with a similar winning score over Paddy Cahir but Don McEvoy pulled one back also winning 3-0 against Brain Dawson. Banbridge increased their lead with a 4 game doubles win and Brian Morrow what a busy week he has had at the table made it 4. Aleyah made it 5 with his win over Paddy Cahir and although  Barry Montgomery kept the tie alive for Ardglass with his win over Brain Dawson wins by Brain and Aleyah sealed the points with Paddy Cahir adding another win on the card for Ardglass

 

SJ JOHNS B ARE LEAGUE LEADERS AT CHRISTMAS.

 

St John’s B 7 St John’s A 3

It’s never certain of the result when two teams from the same club play each other but St John’s B where never in trouble throughout this encounter and ran out comfortable winners to celebrate Christmas as League Leaders. John Magee has been in awesome form all season and put the B team on their winning way with a straight game win over Sean Poland. Jim Mills evened the score with a similar winning score against Brendan McGrillen but the B skipper Vincey Poland another player on top form made it 2-1 with his 3 love win against Terry Murphy. The  B team won the 2 matches for a 4 -1 lead with a doubles and a singles win and although Terry Murphy kept the A team still in the match with a chance of sharing the points with his 5 game win over Brendan Mc Grillen the B team won the next 3 matches to ensure a comfortable victory. This St John’s B team with all players playing well at the same time and have their sights set on the League title and on this form who can blame them.

                                       

                                                    Strangford B 1 Ardglass 9                                               

Ardglass included team captain Don McEvoy in their line out and despite the usual determined efforts by Strangford the visitors were always going to be strong to expect anything from this encounter and went home with both points. Roy McSwiggan got the match underway for Strangford and although he took the first game against Paddy Cahir lost in 4 games. Peter Madine and Gareth Henvey was an entertaining 5 game nip and tuck match before the Ardglass player got home in the 5 the . Cormac O’Reilly is always available when needed and can be pleased with his scores against Don McEvoy before losing in straight games. The visitors won the next 3 matches to ensure the win with Peter Madine putting a win on the card with a 4 game victory over Paddy Cahir.

The Christmas break end concluded the first half of the League. The League table is available on the Lecale League WhatsApp group and all League matches can be found on the League blog. On behalf of the Lecale League committee we would like to wish all clubs and players a very merry Christmas and new year.

 

 

SJ Johns B GO TOP OF THE LEAGUE

 

Owenbeg A 6 Strangford A 4.

This was an important match for both teams in the title race with a number of crucial matches that decided the outcome. Peter Deeny got Owenbeg of to a good start with a straight game win over Marty Trainor. Hugh Scott also started the second match winning the first game against Colin Mc Kinty but lost the next three for one all. Pat Mulholland and Joe Mc Conville are usually too close to call and despite losing the 3^rd Mc Conville got home in 4 games for 2-1 lead.  Deeny and Mulholland squared the match winning the doubles and it looked like this game was going to the wire.  Deeny made it 3-2 with his victory over Mc Kinty but in the first of the crucial matches Hugh Scott looked like causing an upset by taking a 2.0 against McConville but he was up against a player who never gives up he always has to be beaten winning the next 3 games with Scott holding match point in the 4^th definitely one that got away.  In one of the best matches of the League Peter Deeny and Joe McConville played out a point for point 5 game thriller with never more than a point of two between these two legends the 5^th game ebbed and flowed before Mc Conville got more 12.10. The match would be decided on the outcome of the last two matches and despite a gallant effort from the Strangford pair of Trainor and Mc Kinty Scott and Mulholland and ensured both points for Owenbeg.  

Owenbeg B 6 Owenbeg C4

On adjourning tables Owenbeg B’s match followed a similar pattern as the A team with a number of close games that secured the points. Jennifer Braniff got the C team off to a good start with a 4 game win over Dan McEvoy. Manus McEvoy evened the score with his 3 love win over Geraldine Magill with Jason Gill putting the C team ahead with his 3 game win over Cairan Fitzpatrick .The B team won the next two matches for a two game lead but the C team kept themselves in the match with two wins from Jenny and Jason but the B team won the remaining two games for 6-4 win  

Ardglass O St Johns B 10.

In what was described as a double header match that included a cancelled match from earlier in the season St John’s B continued their excellent form with as expected a convincing win over Ardglass. Paddy Cahir and John Magee know each other on and off the table and Magee who has been in outstanding form all reason had too much in his armoury for Paddy winning in straight games. Brendan Mc Evoy did well to take the first game of another of St John’s  Brenden Mc Grillen and completing the trio was Vincey Poland and completed the hat trick of wins for his team winning i straight games against Barry Montgomery. Ardglass continued to put good scores on the cards in the remainder of matches but this St John’s team have their sights on a league title this and of this form they are certainly the team to beat.

It was certainly a busy night for Strangford table tennis clubs with both the A and B teams in action against Banbridge A and B team

Strangford B O v Banbridge A 10

Strangford B kick off against Banbridge A knowing that they were unlikely to trouble their more experienced but were determined to make their opponents work for their wins and it ended with the enviable result that they were can be pleased with their individual and team performance. Cormac O’Reiily know the father of the League is delighted every time he is selected to and opened got the first match under way against the formidable opponent in Brian Morrow delighted with his performance despite the 3  love score line. Well done Cormac.  Nuala Hynds and player who is just pleased to be playing competitive table tennis when her team needs her also scored well against the inform Aleyagh Peniero also losing in 3 games and what can you say about the affable Michael Denny another player who gives all for this team in the 3^rd match against opponent in Vignesh with the enviable result.

Strangford A 10 Banbridge B O

On the adjourning tables the Home A team included John Mc Cusker in their line up and as expected recorded a comfortable victory against the rotational team of Banbridge B. John McCusker got Strangford A off to a good start with a straight win over Gary Derek Colin Mc Kinty made it 2 with a similar winning score with Lorraine Smith and Joe Mc Conville made it 3 wins with another 3 love victory over Tom Neilly. Despite taking a game in a number of matches Banbridge were unable to match get a win on the card against the current League champions.