Ormeau beat North Ayrshire in SBL Premier Division thriller— Table Tennis England

Ormeau beat North Ayrshire (NATTC) 4-3 in a thrilling encounter to move to the top of the SBL Premier Division with an unbeaten start to the season.

In one of the closest fixtures the league has seen so far both teams had opportunities to win. In the end it came down to the very final set of the tie to separate the teams.

Colin Dalgleish continued his excellent form so far this season, beating Ormeau’s playing captain Paul McCreery 3-1 in the opening game. Ashley Robinson then levelled the scores, needing just three to beat Christopher Main.

In the doubles Robinson and McCreery combined to beat Dalgleish and Martin Johnson to make it 2-1

The all-Northern Irish trio’s lead didn’t last long as Johnson won the following singles match against Wilson. At 2-2 the tie was evenly poised, the home side sensing an opportunity for their second win of the season with Dalgleish next up.

Ashley Robinson beat Chris Main but lost out to Colin Dalgleish. Photo credit: Michael Loveder

The Scottish number two didn’t disappoint for the home side, beating Robinson 3-1 to leave them in a commanding position with the score at 3-2 to NATTC.

The final two games both followed a similar pattern. McCreery was taken to five by Johnson, including a draining 15-13 in the opening set. Momentum swayed between the two before a deciding set was wrapped up by Ormeau’s captain to level at 3-3 and send the tie to a deciding game.

Wilson and Main then traded the opening four sets 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6. Main, now playing in his 9^th Premier Division season, was just edged out 11-7 as Wilson won it in five, securing the victory for Ormeau.

Both teams now have an extended break with Ormeau facing Ormesby on 26^th November and North Ayrshire set to play Urban TTC on Saturday 4^th December.

The next action from the SBL Premier Division is on Saturday 30^th October when Archway will play Fusion and BATTS face Ormesby.

Results
Colin Dalgleish bt Paul McCreery 3-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9)
Ashley Robinson bt Christopher Main 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-4)
Ashley Robinson / Paul McCreery bt Colin Dalgleish / Martin Johnson 3-1 (11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10)
Martin Johnson bt Zak Wilson 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-8)
Colin Dalgleish bt Ashley Robinson 3-1 (11-9, 3-11, 11-3, 11-8)
Paul McCreery bt Martin Johnson 3-2 (13-15, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9)
Zak Wilson beat Christopher Main 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7)