Drumchapel Glasgow’s Senior British Club League’s season is finally up and running as they picked up a precious victory over Scottish counterparts North Ayrshire 5-2.

Drumchapel were the only team in the competition without a victory heading into the fifth round of the competition so picking up a result here was of huge importance, given North Ayrshire were just one win better off. Now, the two clubs, and Fusion, are all level on points, leaving everything to play for heading into the reverse fixtures after the turn of the year.

It was a classic four-pointer, North Ayrshire knowing they could strengthen their place in mid-table with victory, Drumchapel knowing a win would drag them back into the mix. The latter proved to be the case.

The two teams exchanged early sets, Viktor Gorman beating Danny Bajwa for the visitors, Aaron McKibbin defeating Colin Dalgleish for the hosts. Gorman has had a fantastic start to the season and was superb again here, crucially clinching the first set before firing back after dropping the second. McKibbin, meanwhile, simply settled far better than Dalgleish, winning the first two ends while dropping just seven points. The damage had already been done.

Doubles had the potential to be pivotal and it went the way of Drumchapel. Bajwa and Victor Guang Shi combined for a 3-1 victory to nudge their side ahead overcoming Martin Johnson and Gorman.

That just put the pressure on North Ayrshire somewhat, who are located only 31 miles from their local rivals. Was that a factor? Only the players will know, but like Dalgleish earlier, Chris Main struggled to get going against Victor Guang Shi, whose power was just too much in the first two ends as he dropped just six points. The third was closer, but it was too little too late for Main.

On the other table, a classic was unfolding. Bajwa and Dalgleish had a fabulous battle which culminated with Bajwa unleashing a huge forehand to win the final point, which sparked jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. That was 4-1 and the result secured.

There were still two games to go though, and Viktor Gorman wasn’t going to let his unbeaten start end albeit it is intact thanks to the finest of margins. Gorman beat Guang Shi in five but found himself in all sorts of trouble after going two ends behind. The third was absolutely pivotal, Gorman eventually prevailing 19-17 after saving match points in the process. That appeared to relax him, and perhaps take its toll on Guang Shi, with the comeback completed with relative conviction after that. A case of what might have been.

However, McKibbin secured a player of the match performance as he defeated Main firing back admirably after dropping the first end.