Legends looking 'Strong' contenders

Legends got off to a flier with Pawet Sulkowski defeating Byron Graham 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5; Dawid Sulkowski defeating Andrew Foremaan 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 and Wayne defeating Ian Davies 11-4, 11-5, 11-9.

However Michael Baird struck back with a four set win over Adam McIlmoyle 7-11, 4-11, 11-7 8-11 to but the visitors on the scoreboard. The Sulkowskis still undefeated all season kept their record intact with Pawet defeating Andrew Foreman 11-2, 11-4,11-3 and Dawid defeating Byron Graham 11-7,11-8,11-6.

With the draw secured it needed the Legends to win one of the next two singles to take the match. But the visitors were not to give in easily. First Michael Baird defwated Wayne in four sets and then Ian Davies repeated the medicine against Adam McIlmoyle. At 5-3 to the Legends the first of the two doubles saw the Sulkowski father and son duo defeat Byron and Andrew 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 to take the match. And it was just as well that they did as the Legends lost the second doubles 11-4, 11-7 11-4. MOM - Dawid Sulkowski (AS Legends).

Legends now travel to Ballymoney to take on the other undefeated team in Division 1 and last year's champions Restaurant 1608 A.

DIVISION THREE

AS Aztecs 7, Knockagh C 3: A must-win match for Aztecs started well for the home side as Captain Peter Neeson had a fine straight sets win over Mike Maguire 12-10, 11-8 and 11-3.

The lead was short lived as Mark Stirling countered with a comfortable straight sets victory over an out-of-form Tom Alexander.

Jordon Hood restored the Aztecs' lead with a hard fought four set win against Keith Mooney 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7. Peter Neeson further extended the lead by defeating Mark Stirling in a real tight tussle 12-10, 11-13, 11-9, and 11-8.

However Keith Mooney responded for the visitors defeating Tom Alexander 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 and 11-3. The two game cushion was again restored by Jordon Hood who defeated Mike Maguire in straight sets 11-4, 13-11, 11-6.

It looked like the visitors were again going to reduce the deficit when Keith Mooney took a two set lead over Peter Neeson only for Peter to take the next three sets to make the score 5-2 in the Aztecs' favour winning 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8 and 11-8.

Tom's poor night was complete when he lost in three sets to Knockagh's Mike Maguire 11-7, 11-9, 11-6. It again looked like Knockagh would win the last singles too when Jordon Hood trailed Mark Stirling by two sets to one, but Jordon dug deep to win the fourth set 11-6 and the fifth 12-10.

An excellent five set doubles victory for Peter and Jordon over their more illustrious opponents Mark and Keith kept their title hopes alive. They must win their last match of the first part of the season to ensure a top four finish and so qualify for the top section when the league splits.

DIVISION FOUR

AS Eagles 4, AS Wizards 6: The last time these two teams met at Ballymena Academy the AS Wizards had an emphatic 9-1 victory over the AS Eagles.

It was unfortunately a repeat performance this time too as the battling Eagles of Eva Richards, Kathryn Moore and Alison McBride failed to win any of the nine singles.

Eva must consider herself most unlucky as she lost two of her three games in the deciding set. Eva and Kathryn did however win the doubles to add a little respectability to the final score.

There has been a marked improvement in the AS Wizards team and hopefully Eddie Kosch, Philip Martin, Connor White and Aaron Steele will be challenging for Knock Out Cup honours once the draw for this competition is made in early February.

MOM - Connor White (AS Wizards)

AS Tigers 1, Restaurant 1608 C 9: The no show of the AS Blaze last week has almost certainly knocked their chances on the head of winning Division 4.

Restaurant 1608 C were determined not to miss the opportunity of ramming this advantage home when they met an under strength AS Tigers at Ballymena Academy and they emerged emphatic victors by 9 games to 1.

Thomas and Noel McCann did not drop a set while last minute stand in David McCluggage won the only game for the Tigers defeating David McMichael 11-9 in the fifth set. The Tigers's Darren Tweed and Stephen Witherspoon managed to take a few sets off both David Peden and David McMichael but could not convert these into victories.

Only AS Thunder can dent the Restaurant's title aspirations and they must travel to Ballymoney and win - something that no Division 4 club has managed to date.

AS Hawks 4, AS Thunder 6: The AS Hawks team of Jonah Gardner, Matthew Campbell and Chris Fullerton can consider themselves very unfortunate not to have snatched a share of the spoils in this most entertaining match.

Jonah lost to the Thunder's Andrew Herbison in four sets and when Peter McCrumb beat Matthew to make it 2-0 it looked like a drubbing could be on the cards. However, man of the match Chris Fullerton had a straight sets victory over Thunder captain Jonny Wilson to stop the slide.

The fourth singles turned out to be a pivotal game in the context of the whole match as the Thunder's Jonny Moore came from two sets down to defeat Matthew 11-5 in the fifth and final set. Peter McCrumb made it 4-1 with a straight sets win over Jonah.

Chris gave the Hawks a glimpse of hope by defeating Andrew Herbison in four tight sets 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 13-11 and defeating Jonny Moore in three sets 13-11, 12-10 and 11-7.

At 4-3 the match was once again in the balance and when Jonah took a two sets to one lead against Jonny Wilson it looked like parity was about to be restored. However Jonny took the last two sets to make the score 5-3 in Thunder's favour.

Matthew then played his best table tennis of the season to defeat Andrew Herbison in four close sets 15-13, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9. The match was to be decided in the doubles and the Thunder took the game in four sets to keep their faint title hopes alive.

MOM - Chris Fullerton (AS Hawks).

TABLE QUIZ

The Strong Tower table tennis Club is holding a fund raising Table Quiz in Wellington Church Hall on Saturday 20th February at 7.45pm.

It is open to teams of up to 6 and your support of this event would be most appreciated. It is necessary for the club to replace two tables that are not of league standard.