Nothing to split big hitters

Nothing to split big hitters

29 November 2023

DRUMANESS...................................5

STRANGFORD A.............................5

WITH no matches played in Division 1, interest centred on Division 2 with the big clash between Drumaness and Strangford ending all square. 

This was an important match for both teams and in the end a draw was a fair result. Drumaness, keen to maintain their unbeaten record, and Strangford, needing to get something from this encounter to keep their title hopes alive, produced a lively affair with the result always in doubt until the last match of the night.

Pat Mulholland is certainly getting plenty of table tennis this season playing in both divisions but found Strangford skipper Colin McKinty a real handful. 

In a five-game nip and tuck match the Drumaness number one just got over the line 11-7.

Hugh Scott made it two for his team with a three-game win over Michael Carey before Joe McConville, who is finding himself this season playing in Division 2, needed four games to see off the inform Charlie Murray. 

The doubles was also a cracker. McKinty and Carey won the first two games, Mulholland and Murray the next two, and on it went point for point until the Drumaness trio got home 15-13 for a 3-1 lead but it was still all to play for. 

Mulholland made it four for his team with a straight set win over Carey. But, the visitors weren’t finished with the match and McConville’s win over Scott and McKinty’s fifth set victory over Murray left the next fixture between Mulholland and McConville vital for both teams. 

A victory for the Drumaness ace edged his team closer to victory but he was facing a legend in former league number one McConville. 

Joe won the first two with narrow margins and while Pat rallied to take the third game, the Strangford man came home comfortably in four games. 

The pressure was now on McKinty against the attack-minded Scott, but a determined effort by the Strangford player saw him home in three games for 5-4 lead. 

The pressure was now back on the home team with Murray needing to beat Carey to share the points. 

Michael may be ahead on head to head past matches but Charlie has probably never played better than during this fixture and got home in three close games to share the points. 

STRANGFORD A.............................7 

STRANGFORD B.............................3

THESE two teams’ encounters have been legendary in the history of the Lecale Table Tennis League since the 1960s. 

Many of the names may have changed, except one, and in his second match of the week Joe McConville recalled the days on the same site where many on these historic matches took place. 

The surroundings certainly have changed, as has the rules of the sport, but the batter remains and while the result was never in doubt for Strangford’s A team, both teams gave matches to fringe players which added to a good humoured encounter.  

Mario, for the B team, put a respectable score on the card in the first match of the night against Colin McKinty for losing 3-0. 

The, B team captain Niall scored well in his match with Michael Carey before losing by a similar score and as the names changed on the card for both teams, the enjoyment increased. 

Well done Mario, Niall and Ann on an excellent performance against strong and experienced opponents.     

All attention this week focuses on the big Division 1 clash between Banbridge and Owenbeg. 

A win for the Downpatrick outfit will virtually ensure the league title, but on home ground which affords more selection options for the Bridge. 

Therefore, a play-off seems the more likely option.