Legends almost end champions' long unbeaten run

The clash of the titans took place in Ballymoney, with the home side having not been defeated in the league for two seasons.

Restaurant held on to this impreesive record – but only just, having trailed 5-3 at one stage!

DIVISION ONE

Restaurant 1608 'A' 5, AS Legends 5: The top match saw the Restaurant's Brian Orr take on the Legend's undefeated Pawet Sulkowski. In an OK corral-like shoot out Pawet emerged triumphant in three close sets 11-9, 16-14 and 11-8.

The second singles was even closer with Legend's Dawid Sulkowski edging passed Mark McGuiggan in four sets 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, and 11-9. John Fall pulled a game back for the Restaurant with a 11-8, 15-13, 11-2 win over Legends captain Wayne Charleton.

Gary McClelland restored parity in the match with a four set win over the battling Adam McIlmoyle 10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 11-1.

The fifth singles proved a real classic with Brian Orr playing exhilarating table tennis against Dawid to surge into a two set lead. However Dawid regained his composure to win the next three sets to give the Legends a slender lead. Pawet Sulkowski continued his dominance of the Division with a straight sets win against Mark McGuiggan to make it 4-2 to the Legend's.

John Fall reduced the deficit by beating Adam in straight sets but the two game margin was restored in the eighth singles when Wayne beat Gary in four sets.

At 5-3 the Legends had only to win one of the two remaining singles to claim victory but it was a step too far.

Orr and Fall fought back from a set down to inflict a rare defeat on the Sulkowski duo winning 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9. A similar fate awaited Charleton and McIlmoyle, as McGuiggan and McClelland came from a set down to win in four.

This result keeps the two teams tied at the top of the League with Restaurant leading on games won to date. Two further encounters should decide the outcome of the League trophy and both games are at Ballymena Academy which should give them a slight advantage. Man of the Match: John Fall (Restaurant 1608 A)

DIVISION THREE

AS Jazz 6, Carnmoney 92 'B' 4: The topsy-turvy season for AS Jazz continued as they defeated Carnmoney 92 B thereby allowing the AS Aztecs to claim the last spot in the top section of Division 3 at the expense of the Carnmoney lads.

Jazz's 'Captain Marvel' Kevin McElroy proved the difference between the sides as he reeled off three singles victories against Mark Ross (11-5, 11-4, 11-4), Ryan Spiers (11-9, 11-7, 12-14, 11-6), and Hugh Patterson (11-4, 11-4, 11-6).

His brother Dermot picked up two singles victories and he teamed up with Kevin to take the all important doubles 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 and 11-5 to ensure victory.

Michael Witherspoon played excellent table tennis for the AS Jazz but lost his singles by the narrowest of margins in five sets. Man of the Match: Kevin McElroy (AS Jazz).

AS Aztecs 7, Knockagh C 3: A mighty performance from the AS Aztecs saw them leapfrog both Knockagh C and Carnmoney 92 C to claim the last spot in the top section of Division 3.

The match did not start well for the Aztecs with captain Peter Neeson sufferind a rare straight sets defeat at the hands of Neil McFaul 11-9, 11-5, 11-7. Tom Alexander fared little better losing in four sets to Knockagh's Garth Jamieson 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5.

Jordon Hood however opened the Aztecz account with a comfortable straight sets victory over John McGuinness 11-2, 11-6 and 11-9.

Tom had a real tussle with James Baxter before losing 12-10 in the fifth. At 3 games to 1 in deficit an Aztec victory looked unlikely. But that doesn't take account of the dogged determination that this young team has shown throughout the league campaign.

Peter Neeson edged passed Garth in straight sets and Jordon Hood capped a fine man of the match performance with two four set victories against Neil McFaul and James Baxter respectively.

When Peter defeated John Maguinness in four sets a draw was assured and Tom Alexander ensured that he didn't miss out on success with a fine four set triumph over Knockagh's number one Neil McFaul.

A five set doubles win for the Aztecs gave them a 7-3 victory and ensured that they had leapfrogged Knockagh in the league.

Later, thanks to AS Jazz's win against Carnmoney the Aztecs secured the last spot in the Division 3's top section. A fine achievement for this young but determined team. Man of the Match: Jordon Hood (AS Aztecs).

DIVISION FOUR

AS Wizards 5, AS Blaze 5: AS Blaze turned up with only two players for their match against the AS Wizards – some of their team mates were in the midst of important examinations.

Blaze tried in vain to secure an unlikely victory and despite trailing 3 -0 before a bat was raised they managed a creditable draw against a young but talented AS Wizards.

Top for the AS Blaze was Dermot McElroy who won all three singles against Eddie Kosch (11-6, 11-2, and 11-5), Connor White11-7, 11-6, 8-11, and 11-1) and Philip Martin (11-6, 11-7, and 13-11). Blaze's John Robinson defeated Aaron Steele in four sets but lost out to Connor White in four sets and to Philip Martin 12-10 in the fifth. The Blaze won the doubles to secure a hard fought draw.

Unfortunately this result makes it extremely difficult for the AS Blaze to top Division 4 though they still have an outside chance of runner-up spot. Man of the Match: Dermot McElroy (AS Blaze).

AS Eagles 5, AS Nuggets 5: These two teams are placed fifth and seventh respectively in the Division 4 table and very little separated them on the table tennis table either.

Kathryn Moore got the AS eagles off to a flier with a straight sets win over AS Nuggets captain David McCluggage. A score replicated by AS Eagles captain Eva Richards over Kyle Bonnes.

Ryan Herbison fought back for the Nuggets with a straight sets win over Michelle Taylor. Eva then edged passed a battling George Graham in three tight sets before Kyle Bones narrowed the gap by beating Kathryn Moore. Victories by David McCluggage and George Graham saw the Nuggets take the lead for the first time in the match by a score of 4-3.

Kathryn Moore scrambled a four set victory fot the Eagles to draw the match level. In the last singles the battle of the captain's was won by David McCluggage who beat Eva Richards in three sets. The doubles went to the AS Eagles and a draw was secured – a fair result on the night. Man of the Match: Eva Richards (AS Eagles).

COACHING COURSE

The club would like to notify its members that a six week coaching course will be commencing on February 2.

The club has secured the assistance of Ireland international table tennis player and coach Amanda Mogey. Two European veterans Brian Orr and Gary McClelland will also be assisting Amanda. Coaching will cost 3 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.