PHOTO CREDIT: CHRIS RAYNER

It was a makeshift team cobbled together at the most unfortunate of times – but how it came good for Ormesby as they produced a season-defining result on the South Coast.

It was a battle of the two early title favourites as the Cleveland-based outfit travelled to face Senior British Club League champions Brighton, and it was the away side who prevailed courtesy of a remarkable 4-3 victory to end the hosts’ unbeaten start to the season.

When Ormesby knew they were going to be without Enio Mendes, Ben Piggott and Sam Mabey for arguably the biggest game of the entire season, they would have snapped your hand off if you offered them a win. But that’s what they’ve got after late recruits Humberto Manhani Junior and Yoan Rebetez delivered in style, alongside the key pillar of their team, David McBeath.

Manhani Junior, a team-mate of Mendes in Spain, and Rebetes, a Major League Table Tennis comrade of McBeath’s, ensured Ormesby’s team had an element of mystique about it heading to Brighton, who packed out their hall for the clash.

Huge credit to the hosts, who manufactured a fantastic atmosphere for the contest. Will Bayley MBE MC’d, sirens were sounded regularly, and there was even confetti. It was an atmosphere befitting of the occasion.

But Manhani Junior had them silenced early as he stormed to a two-game lead over Alex Naumi, dropping just nine points along the way. At one point here, he won just 19 points from 22. Manhani Junior’s sweeping backhand flick caused problems but it was his fabulous counterattacking that stole the show as he hit some blinders past his opponent, who against most players would have been hitting winners himself.

For context, Nuami, a Finland representative, ended last season with nine wins out of ten in this competition. He did, in fairness, prove why as he grafted the game back to the fifth, perhaps slowing down slightly and picking his placement better. It resulted in a spectacular match with long exchanges, round the nets – the full works.

The fifth proved just one too far for Naumi, who dipped slightly for a short period that saw him 10-4 down, eventually losing game eight. That though, was a sign of what was to come.

Next up was McBeath against Ukrainian defender Ihor Zavadyski in what was quite a peculiar contest. England international McBeath settled well into points and appeared to be comfortable and in control. And yet his error count was too high, often making mistakes as he tried to power up later in points while his backhand faltered too.

It saw him 2-1 down and full credit goes to Zavadyski, whose consistency, variety and unpredictability make him a very tricky opponent. Eventually, McBeath prevailed. Winning the fourth 11-9 with a vociferous Brighton crowd against him, he held his nerve in the last end to give Ormesby a 2-0 match lead.

When McBeath and Manhani Junior won the doubles, beating Naumi and Shoma Nishihara, it was 3-0 and the win was in Ormesby’s sights. It was an astonishing scoreline, and one Brighton will have been devastated by considering how close they had been in all three sets.

The responsibility fell on the shoulders of Ormesby’s second debutant, Rebetez, who took on Nishihara. Rebetez was unbelievable in the first end, winning 11-2 and looking to barely break a sweat. His backhand, in terms of technique and effectiveness, was resembling Liam Pitchford. Nishihara had no answer.

Coupled with a devious forehand flick, Rebetez took the second end as well to put Ormesby on the brink. He eventually took it out in four, recovering from surrendering five match points to take it 12-10. It was 4-0, who saw that coming?

Full credit goes to Brighton, who showed incredible spirit to take the next three sets. Naumi was exceptional in victory over McBeath, Nishihara won a classic against Manhani Junior in five that’s well worth watching back on YouTube (though the same applies for the entire four-hour stream) and it culminated when Zavadskyi proved just how good an addition he is to the competition as he defeated Rebetez.

It put respectability on the scoreline, which they absolutely deserved by the way. But will Ormesby care? Probably not. They got the victory, and an outstanding one for good measure. It puts them top of the table after four rounds.