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.

 

 

  

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.