Restaurant 1608 take Pole position

Ballymoney’s 1608 recorded a famous win against league leaders and title favourites Jordanstown. Pawel and Dawid Sulkowski were assisted by Mark McGuiggan and all 3 recorded 2 singles wins to win the match 6-4. Jordanstown had Ulster Champion Keith Knox at Number 1 and Keith proved his pedigree by winning his 3 singles and combining with his brother Gervis to win the doubles 11-9 in the fifth set. However it was the 3 Ballymoney players who each defeated Gervis and Robert Fisher to record an unlikely win and place Restaurant 1608 in Pole position in the league.

A good home crowd support was treated to top class table tennis action with 10 high quality matches. This means that with 6 matches remaining in the league the title is within grasp. It was the 1995/1996 season that last saw Ballymoney win the Northern Ireland title and since then until this season have been unable to field a team in the prestigious league. Manager John Fall refuses to count his chickens but firmly believes that following their latest win, the title is now theirs to loose. John has fond memories of travelling to Dublin in 1996 to compete in the All Ireland as NI winners and would dearly love to repeat that feat. This week the team travels to Knockagh in Greenisland on Wednesday evening.

Ballyclare Leagues

In Division 2 1608B travelled the long journey to Belfast last week to fulfil a re-arranged fixture against 120th Old Boys. Captain Paul McGuiggan had to call on Div 4 player, Thomas McCann to step up 2 divisions due to player unavailability. The team lost 8-2 but Thomas collected 1 win showing patience and skill and will have benefited from the experience. Paul added the only other win while Ruth McGilligan had to settle for a couple of close 5th set defeats.

1608C travelled to Ballymena Academy and David McMichael, Noel and Thomas McCann recorded another win 10–0. All 3 players are gaining in confidence and now have a realistic chance of taking the Div 4 title in their first competitive season.

The progress of all teams in the Ballyclare league can be viewed at www.antrimttl.org.uk.