Drumlough celebrate 60 years with sandpaper table tennis

Their A team beat an East Down Legends A side 6-4 and the B team won 9-1 using bats from a bygone era.

Drumlough captain Will Young welcomed the large number of spectators and players to the Rafferty’s Hill venue before the much anticipated action got underway.

The club has won the East Down league three years running so it was no surprise when Windsor Clarke memorial winner Roy Coard and former Ulster junior Andrew Gibson remained undefeated throughout the evening.

The Legends entertained with former Irish international and Ulster number one Alistair Cairns mesmerising an appreciative audience with his topspin skills. That was despite not having played competitively for over 20 years while 21 times Lecale champion Derek McCann also showed glimpses of genius.

It was Annahilt defender Ivor Kirk who gave a masterclass in chopping to keep the Legends hopes alive but Bobby Cairns ensured success for Drumlough A with an excellent win over Killyleagh’s Jay McAllister.

In the B match, Drumlough stars Alan Cairns, Oswald Copes and Paul Clarke were unstoppable with only Victor Edgar putting a dent in the home side’s dominance with victory over Mervyn Cairns

Most importantly the match raised £420 for the church building fund.