Patriots edge closer to Division Two title

It was a battle of first against second with the probable destination of the coveted Division Two Mace Cup pending on the outcome, which eventually went the way of the Ballymena side.

DIVISION TWO

Academy Strongtower Patriots 7, Knockagh B 3: The top match saw the Patriots' Ciaron Nelson take on the talented Stephen Clarke with Ciaron emerging winner after four gruelling sets of hit and counter hit.

The redoubtable Jimmy O'Hara was next up for the Patriots against the hard hitting Jonathan Mogey - brother of Ireland's top lady table tennis player Amanda Mogey. Jimmy took the first two sets comfortably 11-4 and 11-7 but Jonathan fought back in the third with some fine loops to win it 11-7. However Jimmy tightened up the play keeping the ball well away from Jonathan's devastating forehand to win the fourth set 11-8.

The third singles saw the first outing for Patriots' Radiovan Oslaic who had been unavailable most of the season due to work commitments.

His opponent from Knockagh was the 2008 Division 2 singles champion Colin Clements. Colin, an astute student of the game, took full advantage of Radiovan's lack of match practice to win in straight sets 11-5, 11-3, 11-5.

Next up for Patriots was pen-holder Tom McLeister who was up against Jonathan Mogey. In a game of short, powerful rallies it was Jonathan that emerged triumphant in four tight sets 11-8, 11-7, 8-11 and 11-7. This was Tom's first defeat in two seasons of table tennis in Division Three and Division Two.

With the match all square, Patriots' Ciaron Nelson continued his excellent form with an extremely close three set win against Colin Clements 11-9, 15-13 and 13-11.

Jimmy O'Hara backed this up with a three set demolition of Knockagh's Stephen Clarke 11-5, 11-2 and 11-4. However, Clarke got quick revenge against the Patriot's Radiovan Oslaic winning in straight sets 11-6, 11-5 and 11-4.

The eighth and ninth singles proved to be the pivotal games of the match. First, a shell shocked Tom McLeister went up against the talented Colin Clements. It was Colin who took the first two sets against a somewhat hesitant Tom 11-8 and 11-9. In the third set there was a total transformation in Tom's play as he threw caution to the wind and adopted a very attacking style that Colin could not handle. Tom won the third set 11-8 and the fourth set 11-6. In the fifth set Tom stormed to victory 11-1 with near impeccable attacking table tennis.

The final singles proved equally enthralling with Ciaron Nelson taking a two set lead against Jonathan Mogey 11- 6 and 11-7. However, Jonathan was not prepared to let his side's title aspirations peter out without a fight as he took the next two sets 12-10 and 12-10.

In the final set it looked like the fight back was complete as Jonathan lead by 10 points to eight. However a gutsy Ciaron saved the two game points against service and won two drawn out rallies to scrap victory in the game and the match.

The doubles went to the Patriots duo of Nelson and O'Hara in four sets. Man of the match was Ciaron Nelson for his wonderful fight back in the ninth singles.

Patriots now have a couple of tough away fixtures at Carnmoney and Larne. Wins in these two matches should ensure the Division Two title for the Patriots.

Academy Strongtower Towers 8, Carnmoney 92 A 2: What a relief for the AS Towers as they managed to get their first victory of the season at home to fourth placed Carnmoney 92 A.

The Carnmoney side had defeated the Towers 6-4 in a close encounter earlier in the season so revenge was sweet for the Towers.

Captain Kenneth Johnston got the AS Towers off to winning ways coming from behind to defeat Derek Conroy 5-11, 11-7, 11-9 and 11-4.

Carnmoney's Hal Steele struck right back with a straight sets win over Norman Bowman 11-7, 11-9 and 11-9.

The third set in hindsight was key game of the match with Towers' David Witherspoon against the talented Darren Rapacchi. David took the first two sets comfortably but lost the next two11-7 and 11 -5. However he regained his composure and his forehand smash just in time to take the deciding set 11-7.

Kenneth Johnston had a surprisingly comfortable win against Hal Steele 11-3, 11-4 and 11-4 and Norman Bowman got the victory that his play deserved against Darren Rapacchi 12-10, 11-9 and 11-9.

The sixth singles proved a real tussle with David Witherspoon and Derek Conroy standing toe to toe across the table exchanging ferocious forehand smashes. Derek took the first set for Carnmoney 13-11 but David was not to be outhit as he took the next three sets 11-4, 11-5 and 11-8.

Kenneth ensured victory for AS Towers, coming from behind to win in four sets against Darren Rapacchi 10-12, 13-11, 11-7 and 11-3.

Carnmoney's Derek Conroy restored some pride for his team defeating Norman Bowman in four close sets 11-6, 12-10, 5-11 and 11-9. But the last singles went to the home side with David Witherspoon winning in straight sets against a luckless Hal Steele 11-1, 13-11, 11-5.

Witherspoon and Johnston took the singles in straight sets 11-7, 11-6 and 11-5 to make the final score 8-2 and complete a very satisfactory evening's table tennis.

AS Towers have no chance of catching the three top clubs in the Division if they can keep performing to this high standard they could have a good run in the Senior Knock Out Cup. Man of the match: Kenneth Johnston (AS Towers)

DIVISION FOUR

Academy Strongtower Thunder 8, Academy Strongtower Tigers 2: AS Thunder is still hanging on to the coat tails of Restaurant 1603 C by defeating local rivals AS Tigers. However the score line of 8-2 somewhat flatters the Thunder as the two men of the Tigers put up stout resistance throughout.

Tigers captain Darren Tweed defeated Thunder’s Jonny Moore in the first singles in four tight sets 7-11, 11-9, 11-5 and 11-9. Peter McCrum levelled the match defeating a dogged Stephen Witherspoon in three sets 12-10, 11-8 and 11-5.

Andrew Herbison showed his continued improvement winning in four sets against the Tiger’s Stephen Witherspoon 11-8, 11-13, 11-5 and 11-3.

Peter McCrum had a straight sets victory over Darren Tweed 11-7, 11-7 and 1-7 to make it 3-1 and Thunder’s captain Jonny Wilson made it 4-1 with a four set victory over Darren Tweed.

Stephen Witherspoon, however, got the win his play had deserved when he scraped passed Jonny Moore 11-7 in the fifth set.

The doubles went to the Thunder duo of Moore and Wilson to make it 5-2 and with the three walk over singles added the final score was 8-2. Hopefully Michael and Adam will be available again after their exams to give the Tigers a much needed boost in the forthcoming Junior Knock Out Cup games.

Next up for AS Thunder is a match against the Nuggets and then the title decider away to the irrepressible Restaurant 1608 C.

COACHING COURSE

The club reminds its members that a six week table tennis coaching course is presently taking place at the club.

The club has secured the assistance of Ireland international table tennis player and Coach Amanda Mogey. Coaching will cost 2 per night to cover expenses.

The coaching has been made possible by Ballymena Borough Council who part funded the purchase of 30 table tennis surrounds necessary for effective elite coaching.

TABLE QUIZ

The Academy Strongtower table Quiz is set for 20th February in Wellington Street Hall. Members are asked to bring prizes for this event to the club and would encourage the families of club members to attend to help with much needed funding. Teams of up to six people are permitted in this fun fund raising event.