‘Big Two’ collide

‘Big Two’ collide

27 November 2024

BANBRIDGE A..................5

ANAHILT A........................4

WHEN it comes to local table tennis, there is no bigger clash than the encounters between Banbridge A and Anahilt A – the ‘Big Two’ in the Senior Section of the East Down Churches League.

In fact, the two sides were so close last season that a play-off was required to decide the league title.

Tiago Souto got the ball rolling for Banbridge, extending his long unbeaten run with victory over Kyle Graham in straight games.

He then impressively followed this up with four-game wins over Andrew and Robert McCrory to put his side into a convincing lead.

Arnold Morgan inflicted further damage upon the Anahilt men, sweeping Robert McCrory aside in a 13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 13-11 win.

McCrory redeemed himself with victory for Anahilt against Jimmy Sterling, recovering from two games behind to win the next three 11-7, 11-8, 12-10.

Andrew McCrory also played his part with a four-game victory over Morgan and it was Graham who brought their side back level, seeing off Morgan and Sterling.

The match came down to a doubles decider and it was Banbridge who claimed the bragging rights once again as Souto and Morgan got the better of Graham and Andrew McCrory.

BANBRIDGE A..................9

ST JOHN’S.........................1

BANBRIDGE A travelled to Newcastle to face St John’s and came away with a comfortable 9-1 victory.

The sole point for St John’s came when Marek Scothiewicz edged out spin merchant Jimmy Sterling 14-16, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9.

Richard Hamilton made a welcome return for the Saints and put up a good fight in a narrow 8-11, 13-11, 8-11, 88-11 defeat to Arnold Morgan. 

Scothiewicz was expected to get the better of Morgan, but lost out 11-9, 10-12, 8-11, 11-9, 6-11.

The Anahilt man suffered further disappointment as he lost 9-11, 14-16, 10-12 to Tiago Souto in yet another close contest.

The three Banbridge players all had smooth wins over Tom Garvey to seal the overall victory in some style.

ANAHILT A........................9

ANAHILT B........................1

ANAHILT A proved to be too strong for their own B team as they ran out convincing 9-1 victors. 

Roy Coard saved his side from a total whitewash with a hard-fought 7-11, 11-5, 11-7, 1-11, 11-2 win over Robert McCrory.

Andrew McCrory found it hard to get the better of Geoff Beattie and had to go four-games to overcome Coard, but he edged out his opponents in both instances. 

The top singles saw Kyle Graham and Coard go toe-to-toe in a four-game contest, with Graham coming out on top.  

He was also given plenty to do in his game against Jack Shaw, but eventually got the job done as he helped his side cruise to victory.

BANBRIDGE B...................5

BRIGHT..............................5

BANBRIDGE B put in a good performance to earn a draw against an experience Bright side. 

Mavis Sum had two notable games for Ban-

bridge, excelling to get the better of Victor Edgar before beating the Bright number one with a score of 11-4, 11-6, 11-8.

However, she found herself on the receiving end of a 7-11, 11-13, 11-5, 14-12, 7-11 defeat to veteran Jay McAllister.

Felix Sum lost his first game 6-11 to Edgar, but took the next three games 11-6, 11-9. 11-4 before beating McAllister 11-8, 11-9, 15-13 in three close games.

Three wins for the Bright players over Hugo Sum looked to have set them on the road to victory.

However, Banbridge snatched a draw when Felix and Mavis Sum claimed a 6-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-5, 11-2 victory in the doubles match.

ANAHILT D........................0

DRUMLOUGH A...............10

A LOCAL derby in the Intermediate Section saw Drumlough A win all of their games away to Anahilt D.

James Cairns, the Drumlough No 3, had his best ever performance as he recorded an excellent 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 win over the experienced Sharon Beattie.

He was not finished there either, battling to a 7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10 victory over Elaine Beattie and smooth success over Luke Fisher.

Sophie Jordan did not seem as sharp as usual as she just about managed to overcome Elaine Beattie.

With the points in the bag, Drumlough captain Mervyn Cairns stood down in the 

doubles game and allowed his son, James, to play with Sophie. 

The pair went on to get the better of Sharon and Elaine and thanks to his high-quality performance, James was name player of the week.