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.