Top of the table clash for Restaurant 1608

Belfast and District League

The Belfast and District Premier league is extremely close at the top with Ballymoney trailing Jordanstown by a single point. This Wednesday 13th January sees the 2 teams clash at the Methodist Church Hall at 8.00pm. The previous fixture saw Jordanstown triumph by a 6-4 margin. Manager John Fall is hopeful that with home advantage and the support from local fans the result this time will be different.

Meanwhile Ballymoney travelled to bottom team, Christian Brothers in Belfast and recorded an important 10-0 win. Pawel and Dawid Sulkowski were joined by Brian Orr in the absence of Mark McGuiggan. All three players dominated the games and although some matches were close Ballymoney edged them to achieve maximum points.

Ballyclare Leagues

In the Ballyclare League the 1st Division team, 1608A continued on the winning trail when they travelled to Ballyclare B. Team Captain, Gary McClelland was joined by Brian Orr and John Fall to complete an 8-2 win.

Gary lost out narrowly in two matches before combing with John to take the doubles. This leaves the team still unbeaten but with 2 difficult games next including Ballymena Academy who have the Sulkowski pairing playing for them in the Ballyclare league.

In Division 2 1608B led by Paul McGuiggan hosted Ballymena Academy Blades in the final match in the first half of the league. Once again the team were not at full strength due the absence of Number 1 Mark Lynn.

Aaron Douglas produced some fine table tennis and came through to win 1 singles. Paul McGuiggan added another two singles. However it was the grit and determination of Ruth McGilligan who recorded a superb singles win and combined with Paul in the final doubles that secured a well deserved 5-5 draw.

1608C travelled to Ballymena Academy and David Peden, Noel and Thomas McCann recorded an emphatic 9-1 win. Team captain David Peden lost out on one match while the McCann father and son double act remained unbeaten.

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

U21 Christmas Cracker

Mark McGuiggan competed in the Ulster U21 event and came out in first place. Mark defeated Phil Jamison and Andrew Loane to take the title. This was an event with great importance with selection for the Ulster team for the Inter Pros later in the year. This puts Mark at the top of the pile and more or less guarantees his selection.

The Co Antrim Open takes place in Sixmilecross Leisure Centre in Ballyclare on 16th January. This is open to all local players and Ballymoney will have strong challenge in the main event from Mark McGuiggan and in the veterans event from Pawel Sulkowski.