Ormeau’s new signing Dorian Nicolle was instrumental in their 5-2 victory against North Ayrshire in the first Premier Division fixture of 2020.
The win moved the Belfast side to second in the league, level on points with Urban, taking three wins from three. North Ayrshire, meanwhile, sit sixth without a victory this season.
Frenchman Nicolle made the journey to Scotland joined by Gavin Maguire and Matt Ware. They faced North Ayrshire’s strongest trio available of Colin Dalgleish, Chirs Main and Zak Wilson.
The opening match saw Maguire beat Dalgleish in four after losing the opening set 11-3.
Frenchman Nicolle then opened his account with a comfortable victory in three against Main to make it 2-0 to Ormeau going into the doubles.
Dalgleish joined Zak Wilson to get North Ayrshire back into the tie after a thrilling five set match. Ormeau’s Nicolle and Ware fought back from two sets down to send the tie into a fifth set. A magnificently played final set eventually ended 12-10 in North Ayrshire’s favour.
Matt Ware bounced straight back in the following singles match against Wilson. He took Ormeau to within one match of victory beating Wilson 12-10, 11-8, 11-6.
The win was then wrapped up for the Northern Irish outfit by Nicolle as he beat Colin Dalgleish in three to continue Ormeau’s unbeaten run this season.
Zak Wilson picked up a hard-fought victory against Maguire to make sure North Ayrshire added to their score. The opening four sets were shared, with Wilson victorious against his fellow Irishman 11-6 in the fifth.
The afternoon was completed by Matt Ware as he beat Chirs Main in four to move Ormeau up the table and firmly into title contention.
Premier Division action returns this weekend as Ormesby welcome Archway Peterborough on Saturday and BATTS host Urban on Sunday.
Results
North Ayrshire 2 Ormeau 5
Gavin Maguire bt Colin Dalgleish 3-1 (3-11, 12-10, 11-1, 12-10)
Dorian Nicolle vt Chris Main 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-7)
Colin Dalgleish/Zak Wilson bt Dorian Nicolle/Matt Ware 3-2 (11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 10-12, 12-10)
Matt Ware bt Zak Wilson 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 11-6)
Nicolle beat Dalgleaish 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-4)
Wilson bt Maguire 3-2 (5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6)
Ware bt Main 3-1 (12-14, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6)