Ballymoney 1608 lose out to Glenburn

Table Tennis

Belfast and District League

In the most important fixture of the season Ballymoney’s elite team failed to produce the goods against Belfast rivals Glenburn and lost out 7-3.

The match started well with Mark McGuiggan recording a famous win over former Ulster Number 1 Brian McRandal by three sets to one. Dawid Sulkowski defeated Ulster veteran Norman Nabney and his father Pawet lost out narrowly to Willie Cherry. The home team now led two matches to one but managed to loose the next six games before Pawet clinched the final end to leave it a disappointing 7-3 lose.

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The players from the toon lacked the guile and spirit required to win these types of matches and were outplayed and out smarted by a determined Belfast outfit.

With the team in Pole position two weeks ago it is now left to fight it out for second place.

Team manager, John Fall summed up the disappointment stating “we had our chance to go all the way but failed to maintain the effort and discipline needed”.

Ballyclare Leagues

Ballymoney entertained Ballyclare A last week and came out 7-3 winners. Mark McGuiggan had to withdraw from the match at the last moment due to illness. This left the pressure on the experienced pairing of Brian Orr and John Fall to roll back the years and produce the goods. Both men defeated brothers Andrew and Richard Davies and Phil Jamison and combined to win the doubles to wrap up the win. However it was probably team captain Gary McClelland who played his best table tennis this season only to loose out narrowly in 5 sets to all three opposing players.

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This leaves the team joint top of the league with two important fixtures to come against Ballymena Academy and the Polish Sulkowskis.

Confusion

Ballymoney competes in two separate leagues, Ballyclare and Belfast. The two Polish players represent Ballymoney in the Premier division of the Belfast league along with Mark McGuiggan, Brian Orr and John Fall.

Because of the strength of players from Ballymoney it was agreed at the beginning of the season that Dawid and Pawet would play for local rivals Ballymena Academy in the Ballyclare league. This ensures three local derby’s, a close conclusion and a more balanced set of teams in Division 1.

Co Fermangh Open

The next major event in the province is the Fermanagh Open to be held in Fivemiletown on 20th February. Mark McGuiggan will lead the local challenge along with Pawet Sulkowski who has yet to taste defeat in the Veteran category.

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