Win some, lose some for Academy sides

It has been a mixed year for the local Academy Strongtower club with pride of place going to the AS Patriots who have won the Division 2 title with a match to spare.

So near and yet so far for the AS Legends who could only muster a five all draw against local rivals Restaurant 1608 A in the final match of the season which condemned them to second spot in the top Division - just one point shy of Restaurant 1608 A who retain their title.

AS Thunder fully deserved their runner up spot in Division 4 with their youthful enthusiasm – not to mention their considerable table tennis skills - helping to keep them on the heels of the talented Ballymoney team Restaurant 1608 C throughout the season.

DIVISION ONE

AS Legends 5, Restaurant 1608 A 5: The AS Legends match got off to a cracker start as Pawet Sulkowski defeated the top Ballymoney star Mark McGuigan in four tight sets 11-7, 11-9, 9-11 and 11-6. It was soon 2-0 to the Legends as Dawid Sulkowski also won in four sets against Restaurant captain Gary McClelland.

Restaurant then fought back with Brian Orr having a straight sets win over Wayne Charleton and John Fall rolling back the years to record a marvellous four set win over Dawid Sulkowski.

Pawet Sulkowski put the Legends ahead once again with another exhibition of attacking table tennis against Gary McClelland. Wayne Charleton lost out to both Mark McGuigan and John Fall before Pawet Sulkowski once again levelled the match with a four set victory over Brian Orr.

At four all the long awaited rematch between Dawid Sulkowski and Mark McGuigan took on immense importance. However Dawid was still reeling from his surprise defeat against John Fall and never really got his A-game going as he crumbled to defeat in straight sets 11-8, 11-7 and 11-2.

Pawet and Dawid won a classic five set battle in the doubles against the mighty duo of Brian and John winning 15-13 in the decider. Face was saved for the AS Legends but the title was returning once again to Ballymoney. Man of the season: Pawet Sulkowski (AS Legends)

DIVISION TWO

Larne A 4, AS Patriots 6: Patriots had a busy week with two matches in as many days - victory in both would snatch the title away from the impressive Knockagh B. The Patriots travelled to pre season league favourites Larne B without the impressive Tom McLeister.

The first game went to Larne as Roy Camlin inflicted a rare defeat on the experienced Jimmy O'Hara. It looked like it would be two nil for the home side as James Maguinness had two game points against Ciaran Nelson in the fourth set before losing it 12-10. Ciaran took charge of the final set winning it 11-5 to square the nmatch.

Amy Hawthorn had an excellent four sets win over Alan Jamison to put the visitors a game up. Ciaran Nelson increased the lead with another 11-5 victory in the fifth set – this time against Roy Camlin. James Maguinness then pulled one game back winning a titanic struggle 11-9 in the fifth set against the impressive Amy Hawthorne.

The next two games were shared with Jimmy O’Hara defeating Alan Jamison and Roy Camlin defeating Amy. The AS Patriots rallied and took the final two singles in some style with Jimmy O’Hara defeating James Maguinness in straight sets and Ciaron Nelson recording a straight sets win against Alan Jamison.

The doubles went to Larne 11-9 in the fifth set put the points went to the AS Legends. One more victory would secure the title of Division 2 champions. Man of the Match: Ciaran Nelson (AS Patriots)

AS Patriots 9, 120th Old Boys 1: Patriots put on a real focused performance and despite several of the games proving close the team emerged comfortable victors by nine games to one.

Patriots were very quick out of the blocks reeling off the first five games in quick succession. Captain Ciaron Nelson defeated Don Sinclair 11-4, 11-9, 15-17 and 11-7; Jimmy O’Hara defeated Harry McDonald 11-6, 11-3 and 11-4; Tom McLeister defeated Sam Hunter 15-17, 11-5, 11-7 and 11-4; Ciaron defeated Harry 13-11, 11-7 and 11-6; and Jimmy O’Hara defeated Sam 11-7, 11-7 and 11-4.

Old Boys’ only victory came in the sixth single when their number one Don Sinclair scrapped passed Tom McLeister 13-11. 8-11, 11-6 and 11-5.

The final three singles went to the home team with Ciaron defeating Sam 11-8 in the fourth set; Jimmy defeating Don Sinclair 11-5 in the fifth set and Tom defeating Harry 11-4 in the fourth set. The doubles also went to the as Patriots 15-13 in the fifth and final set. Man of the Match: Jimmy O’Hara (AS Patriots)

This victory ensured that the Academy Strongtower won its first silverware of the season – the Mace Cup for Division 2 champions. The AS Patriots are still competing in the Senior Cup with a trip to Carnmoney A this week and a semi final slot awaiting the victors.

AS Towers 4, Restaurant 1608 B 6: AS Towers lost the basement battle in Division 2 and will be plying their trade in Division 3 next season.

The main difference in the match was the impressive Mark Lynn who ended the season undefeated in Division 2. Mark defeated the impressive AS Towers number 1 in four tight sets before dispatching Tower’s David Witherspoon in straight sets. Starring for AS Towers was Norman Bowman who ended the season on a high with straight sets wins over Aaron Douglas and Ruth McGilligan.

David Witherspoon lost a tight four setter against Paul McGuiggan and Frank Allen lost in four sets to Ruth McGilligan and in five sets to Aaron Douglas. Despite Kenneth defeating Paul McGuiggan in the fifth set 15-13 the loss of the first doubles secured the win for the visitors. Norman Bowman and Frank Allen won the second doubles to make the final score 6 -4 to the visitors. Man of the Match: Norman Bowman (AS Towers)

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the Academy Strongtoer team of Adam McIlmoyle, Peter Neeson and Jack Neeson who won silver medals at the recent Ulster Junior team event only losing out 2-1 to the top Glenburn team.

DIARY DATES

On Saturday, April 10, the concluding Ulster Seniors ranking tournament – The North Antrim Open - is to be held at the Academy Strongtower club together with Class 2, Class3 and Class 4 competitions.

The County Antrim league tournaments start at the end of April. All Academy Strongtower members wishing to enter these events should contact Norman McBride over the Easter period on n5mcb@btinternet.com.