Team Ormesby – enjoying the warm-up time @BritishLeague

Round Five Update

B-BATT Pavilion are the Champions

However, B-BATT didn’t have it all their own way against Fusion who were in desperate need of points to avoid relegation. Chris Doran won twice and Giovanni Le Borgne, Michael O’Driscoll and Niall Cameron all won once as the London side made the leaders battle for every single point. Doran showed his class as he powered his way to a 11-4, 11-2, 11-3 win over Lorestas Trumpauskas but Lorestas wasn’t finished. Far from it. He defeated Michael O’Driscoll 11-9, 11-7, 11-5.  It was Giovanni Le Borgne who had the privilege of clinching the top honour and the former French top 10 Junior made no mistake against Tom Cutler  winning 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.

The battle to avoid relegation has gone “all the way to the wire”. Barrow Tornadoes beat relegated Kingfisher 5-3 to pull level on nine points with Fusion. Kingfisher made a great start with Gary Dodd beating Craig Bryant by a last gasp 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10 margin. This was neutralised when Gavin Rumgay fought back from 2-0 down to get the better of Richard Andrews   6-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8. Barrow were also bolstered by the inclusion of English no. one lady – Jo Parker and she made her mark with two vital wins which included a “repeat” victory over Richard Andrews 13-11, 14-12, 11-5.

Drumchapel Glasgow I have 10 points and they couldn’t add to their total against runners-up Sycamore I (21 points), where they lost 6-2. Sycamore no. three Matt Ware won his two singles 3-0 – against Scott Barton and Richard Main to take the Player of the Match Award whilst Craig Howieson impressed for the losers by beating Paul McCreery 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9. Sycamore no. two David McBeath also won twice and it was his consistency over the course of the Season that was one of the main factors behind him being awarded the British League Premier Division Player of the Season.

Wymondham secured third place by beating Ormesby 5-3. It was Wymondham’s no. two Emil Holmsten who caught the eye in this match.  Not having been quite so successful as his team-mates to date, he took the opportunity to shine with two very good wins over Michael Marsden (11-5, 12-10, 11-8) and Simon  Noutch (11-7, 11-9, 11-9). Ormesby’s Yongbo Zhang,  a player whose form can fall between the brilliant and the seemingly lacklustre really had the bit between his teeth in this match. He beat Tobias Bergman 13-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6 and Thomas Bennborn 11-7, 11-7, 13-11.

Steve Kerns British League Press & Publicity Team

Round Four Update

If round  11 of the British League Premier Division hadn’t gone to plan as far as Sycamore were concerned then round 12 was positively disastrous. Sycamore came up against a pumped-up Wymondham side and lost 5-3. B-BATTS Pavilion I can probably scarcely believe it but they now have a three point advantage with just two rounds left to play.

Credit where it is due – Wymondham played really well. Tobias Bergman beat both David McBeath 6-11, 14-12, 9-11, 11-2, 11-7 and Paul McCreery 11-9, 11-7, 13-11 whilst Thomas Bennborn played his part by beating McCreery 11-9, 11-6, 11-4. It was a match Sean Cullen won’t want to dwell on. He was well beaten 11-6, 11-7, 11-6 by a very impressive Sean Doherty and he couldn’t make any head-way against Ashley Robinson either. Robinson beat Cullen 11-4, 11-8, 11-3. Matthew Ware was the only Sycamore player to shine. He beat Ashley Robinson 13-11, 14-12, 11-7 and a tired looking Thomas Bennborn 11-7, 11-2, 11-8.

B-BATT possibly aware that “the tide was changing” made no  mistake against Kingfisher, the shock-providers of round 11. They won 7-1 with Chris Doran, Michael O’Driscoll and Niall Cameron all remaining undefeated . Richard Andrew’s magnificent run of six wins on the day was finally ended in a dramatic fifth end by Chris Doran (11-7, 3-11, 11-2, 13-15, 11-8) and Andrews also missed out against the tenacious Michael O’Driscoll over five contrasting  ends (10-12, 6-11, 11-3, 11-3, 3-11). The hard-hitting “leftie” Gary Dodd – Guernsey’s top player impressed for Kingfisher. He not only beat Giovanni Le Borgne with something to spare (11-6, 11-7, 11-6) but he also played some spectacular points against Chris Doran before losing 8-11, 11-4, 6-11, 8-11.

It was a very good round for Drumchapel Glasgow I as well as they battle to avoid relegation. Craig Howieson and Scott Barton were both undefeated as they beat Fusion I 6-2. It was very much the Howieson and  Barton show. A “bang-on-form” Craig beat Lorestas Trumpauskas 11-6, 11-6, 11-9 and Kazeem Adisa Adelike 11-4, 11-3, 12-10 whilst Scott defeated Tom Cutler 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 and Matthew Doddds 11-1, 11-5, 11-7. Richard Main and Christopher Main both won once – a cracking performance from the Scots – just when they needed it most.

Ormesby I will be pleased with their 4-4 draw against Barrow Tornadoes as it is clear they miss the services of their top player – Ryan Jenkins, badly. Gavin Rumgay and Craig Bryant won their four singles for Barrow whilst Daniel O’Connell won twice for Ormesby. It was a good match for Gavin Rumgay. He beat Yongbo Zhang 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 and Patrick Thomas 11-2, 11-7, 11-4.

Players of the round – Tobias Bergmann and Michael O’Driscoll

Steve Kerns British League Press & Publicity Team

Round Three Update

What a dramatic round – the most exciting of the Premier Division Season by a long way.  B-BATT Pavilion were impressive 7-1 winners whereas Sycamore were held to a draw by an inspired Sycamore. As a result it is B-BATT who have returned to the top of the table, a point ahead of their Nottinghamshire rivals.

B-BATT’S  Chris Doran, Michael O’Driscoll and Niall Cameron were all undefeated as they powered their way to a 7-1 win over Ormesby.  England No. six Chris Doran led from the front with convincing three-straight wins over Patrick Thomas (11-2, 11-8, 11-6) and Michael Marsden (11-6, 11-8, 11-7). Yongbo Zhang was the Middlesbrough Club’s only winner. He beat Giovanni Le Borgne 11-6, 11-5, 11-9.

You might well have expected Sycamore to come out on top comfortably in their clash with bottom-placed Kingfisher . The trouble was that no one had told the Reading Club. Richard Andrews beat Paul McCreary 12-10, 7-11, 8-11, 11-3, 12-10 to give them a great 1-0 start but with David McBeath, Matthew Ware and Sean Cullen all winning this looked to be no more than a blip. How wrong can you be ?. Gary Dodd hit back with an excellent 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 win over Paul McCreary and then Richard Andrews held his nerve superbly to beat England no. nine Matt Ware 12-10, 12-10, 8-11, 8-11, 11-8 for his sixth win of the day.

Sycamore still had the advantage with the free-flowing David McBeath seeing off Conor Edwards 11-3, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8. The last game of what had been a superb match couldn’t have been more exciting. Welsh no. one Junior girl Charlotte Carey faced the very talented England no. 14 Sean Cullen. A superb game open game was tied at 2-2 before it ventured into a dramatic decider. Charlotte blocking crisply with some superb angled back-hands took a 10-6 lead only to see Sean fight back to 10-10 and then take a 11-10 lead. Charlotte wasn’t finished and in one of those great moments when the whole hall came to a standstill she sealed a stunning 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11, 16-14 win. One of the most dramatic games in British League history.  And for the record – Sean Cullen  was also praised very highly.  His exemplary sportsmanship after losing such a close and important match was commented on by quite a few people.

Fusion went a long way to ensuring that they are safe from relegation by beating Barrow Tornadoes 5-3, good going as Barrow had led 2-0 at one stage. The big result here was Kazeem Adisa Adeleke’s fine 12-14, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 victory over Gavin Rumgay – more than ample compensation for his 10-12, 10-12, 9-11 loss to Craig Bryant. Fusion led 4-3 and Matthew Dodds had the task of being “the Custodian” and sealing their victory. He was up to the role and he beat Jonathan Crawford 11-3, 11-3, 12-10 to secure a South London victory.

Wymondham were good value for their 6-2 win over Drumchapel Glasgow I. Tobias Bergman, Thomas Bennborn and Sean Doherty were all undefeated. Tobias Bergman defeated Craig Howieson 9-11, 11-6, 4-11, 12-10, 11-8 in what was the pick of the matches whilst Glasgow’s Chris Main showed up well with a 11-4, 11-9, 19-17 victory over Emil Holmsten. Ace defender Thomas Bennborn hit top form against Richard Main. He won 11-2, 13-11, 11-3.

Players of the round – Richard Andrews and Charlotte Carey.

Steve Kerns British League Press & Publicity Team

Round Two Update

If Sycamore go on to win the British League Premier Division  then round 10 will hold fond memories for them. They powered their way to a 7-1 win over the hosts – Ormesby I whilst rivals B-BATTS I were held to a 4-4 draw by Barrow Tornadoes. The two leading sides are now tied on 18 points but it is Sycamore who are in the driving seat, with a lead of five sets.

Sycamore’s Paul McCreery, David McBeath and Mathew Ware were all undefeated  in their victory over the Middlesbrough team whilst Sean Cullen suffered only his second  defeat in 18 games. He met his match in an inform England  no. 41 – Simon Noutch who won 7-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9. Paul McCreery played well against Michael Marsden. He came through 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 and he also defeated Yongbo Zhang 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.

B-BATT Pavilion were unfortunate to come up against a fired-up Barrow Tornadoes who produced an outstanding team effort to hold the former leaders to a 4-4 draw. Scottish no. one Gavin Rumgay played his part with a 12-10, 11-9,11-7 win over Giovanni Le Borgne and a fighting 11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-8 victory over perennial rival Chris Doran. Equally important from the match perspective was Scott Crawford’s superb 11-6, 11-6, 11-8 win over Niall Cameron whilst Craig Bryant played his part with a 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 victory over Michael O’Driscoll – only Michael’s second loss of the Season. Barrow led 4-2 and could they produce the unthinkable and actually beat the leaders ?. The answer turned out to be “no”. The ever reliable Giovanni Le Borgne beat Scott Crawford 11-5, 15-13, 7-11, 11-6 and Niall Cameron came up trumps against Jonathan Crawford 11-9, 10-12, 11-1, 11-6.

Wymondham have moved up to nine points and should be safe from relegation. They beat Fusion 5-3 despite losing three of the five five-enders in what was a very competitive match. No shortage of close games here. Tobias Bergman beat Lorestas Trumpauskas 9-11, 14-12, 9-11, 14-12, 11-6 but lost to Kazeem Adisa Adeleke 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-13.  Sean Doherty fought back from 2-0 down to beat Tom Cutler 10-12, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11- 9 whilst Lorestas Trumpauskas hit back for the London team by getting the better of Thomas Bennborn 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8.

Bottom side Kingfisher did well to hold Drumchapel Glasgow  to a 4-4 draw. It was another good match for Richard Andrews who beat both Scottish no. two Craig Howieson 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 and Christopher Main 11-9, 11-6, 11-8. Conor Edwards played his part by defeating Richard Main 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 whilst Gary Dodd came through a very tight battle against Craig Howieson winning 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 4-11, 12-10.

Players of the round – Barrow’s Scott Crawford and Gavin Rumgay

Steve Kerns British League Press & Publicity Team

Round One Update

B-BATT Pavilion and Sycamore both make winning starts

The top two teams have both made winning starts to the final round of matches in the British League Premier Division at Ormesby Table Tennis Club. It is difficult to decide which side looked the more impressive.

B-BATT Pavilion stay top and they had few problems beating Drumchapel Glasgow I 7-1. Chris Doran, Giovanni Le Borgne and Michael O’Driscoll were all undefeated. Scottish no. two Craig Howieson made little impact. He lost 8-11, 4-11, 8-11 against the free-flowing Le Borgne and 9-11, 4-11, 11-11 against the impenetrable Chris Doran.

Second-placed Sycamore will also be delighted  with the start they have made. They defeated Barrow  Tornadoes 7-1 and significantly the Barrow team included Scottish no. one Gavin Rumgay. England no. eight David McBeath was on top form. He powered his way to a 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 success against Rumgay  and he also beat Scott Crawford 11-5, 11-5, 11-9. Rumgay was the Barrow side’s only winner. He saw off Sycamore no. one Paul McCreary 11-2, 11-4, 13-11. Sean Cullen and Matthew Ware were also undefeated for Sycamore.

A new-look Wymondham team beat bottom-side Kingfisher I 6-2. Tobias Bergman retained his place in the no. one position and he was joined by fellow Swedes Emil Holsten and ace-defender Thomas Bennborn, who has impressed in previous years for Ellenborough.  However, they were over-shadowed by England no. 15 Richard Andrews – who had played so well in the recent National Championships. Andrews carried on in the same vein with two outstanding wins. He beat Tobias Bergman 12-10, 11-8, 11-6 and Thomas Bennborn 11-9, 5-11, 14-12, 12-10. Gary Dodd had surged into a 2-0 lead against Emil Holmsten but it wasn’t enough. Holmsten fought back to win 10-12, 8-11, 11-4, 11-2, 11-7.

The match between Ormesby I and Fusion I was a closely fought affair, and the South London side may be slightly disappointed with the 4-4 draw having led 4-2 at one stage. Fusion’s Kazeem Adisa Adeleke had a major say in giving his side the lead.  He beat Patrick Thomas 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 and then most impressively Michael Marsden 11-6, 11-8, 16-14. England no. one Veteran Lorestas Trumpauskas played his part with a vital 4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 13-11 victory over Yongbo Zhang. Fusion led 4-2 but it wasn’t enough to take both points. Patrick Thomas, showing a return to his best form scored an excellent 14-12, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8 win over Tom Cutler and Daniel O’Connell defeated Matt Dodds 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11.

Player of the round – Richard Andrews (by the proverbial mile).

Steve Kerns British League Press & Publicity Team

Welcome….

The day is upon us….

The final weekend of the British League season will unfold as the Premier Division heads to Ormesby. Eight teams will lock horns, all aiming for glory.

B-Batt and Sycamore will clash for the title, while a string of other teams head into the weekend preparing for a battle against relegation.

To stay updated with all of the action, follow the British League on Twitter @BritishLeague, or refer back to the website for all the latest news, views and interviews.

Follow all results as they happen at www.tabletennis365.com/sbl

Pictures from the day on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255744651228902.1073741825.157012194435482&type=1

By Matthew Shaw
British League Press & Publicity