Drumchapel Glasgow TTC put in a monumental performance to pick up their first win of the season against high-flying Brighton TTC.

Going into Saturday’s game the Scottish side had lost five from five after being promoted to the Premier Division. Brighton sat in the top three, having been beaten just once so far this campaign. 

The odds were stacked against the home side with Terry McLernon MBE, Drumchapel club founder, admitting the side had found it challenging ahead of the tie, although noting the experience had been worthwhile.

Played across two tables Garry Dodd faced Billy Shilton, and Joe Mulhern, making his debut, lined up against Toby Ellis. Scores were similar across both matches, with Dodd winning in four before Ellis did the same

The doubles went the way of a Dodd and Danny Bajwa duo to give Drumchapel the upper hand with four singles ties remaining. Ellis quickly made it 2-2 as he comprehensively beat Dodd.

With two matches to play the home-side needed just one win to secure a memorable victory. Joe Mulhern was unable to cap an impressive debut with a win, losing out to Joseph Langham-Ferreira in three. 

However, thanks to Danny Bajwa on the next table Drumchapel were able to celebrate. He beat Billy Shilton in four to complete a brilliant performance. The match highlighted the talent on display in the Premier Division, showing there are no easy games for any side.

Earlier in the day BATTS comfortably overcame Fusion to extend their unbeaten run to three games. Alexis Douin picked up the player of the match award for his part in the tie. He’s now won all six of his singles games this season, and has proved a vital part of the BATTS squad. 

Shaquille Webb Dixon got Fusion on the board early with a 3-1 win against Ralph Pattison, but that would prove to be the only time the visiting side would get on the scoreboard. Chris Doran also went unbeaten across the afternoon, dropping just one set.

Fellow league leaders Ormesby were too strong for TableTennisDaily as they ran out 6-1 victors away from home.

The north-east trio of Jose Enio Mendes, David McBeath and Benjamin Piggott raced to a 4-0 lead before TTD had a real opportunity to get into the game. Tom Maynard fought hard to push McBeath to five, but the home side found it hard to counter last season’s runners up.

Callum Evans showed great skill to beat McBeath in three to make it 4-1. That would prove to be TTDs only win of the afternoon despite the best efforts of Maynard once again. He lost out in his second five-set affair, this time to Piggott to end the afternoon’s action.

Just five fixtures remain before the creation of two Premier Division mini leagues. Ormeau will play North Ayrshire on 25th February in a rearranged sixth round tie.

The final round of matches will then be played on 9th March, with the league being split into two following that Saturday. The top four will play for the league title, with the bottom four fighting it out to avoid ending the season in a relegation spot.

You can watch all SBL Premier Division matches again on TTE.TV.

Photo credit: Michael Loveder

Results

BATTS 6 Fusion 1

Chris Doran (BAT) bt Robert Pelc (FUS) 3-1 (4-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-6)

Shaquille Webb Dixon (FUS) bt Ralph Pattison (BAT) 3-1 (6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-13)

Christopher Doran/Alexis Douin (BAT) bt Tianyi Yu/Shaquille Webb Dixon (FUS) 3-1 (11-3, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7)

Alexis Douin (BAT) bt Tianyi Yu (FUS) 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-3)

Christopher Doran (BAT) bt Shaquille Webb Dixon 3-0 (FUS) 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 15-13)

Alexis Douin (BAT) bt Robert Pelc (FUS) 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3)

Ralph Pattison (BAT) bt Tianyi Yu (FUS) 3-1 (6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8)

TableTennisDaily 1 Ormesby 6 

Jose Enio Mendes (ORM) bt Callum Evans (TTD) 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-9)

David McBeath (ORM) bt Tom Maynard (TTD) 3-2 (11-9, 11-7, 1-11, 8-11, 13-11)

David McBeath/Jose Enio Mendes (ORM) bt Tom Maynard/Callum Evans (TTD) 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-5)

Benjamin Piggott (ORM) bt Daniel Ives (TTD) 3-0 (11-7,12-10, 12-10)

Callum Evans (TTD) bt David McBeath (ORM) 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-9)

Jose Enio Mendes (ORM) bt Daniel Ives (TTD) 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-4)

Benjamin Piggott (ORM) bt Tom Maynard (TTD) 3-2 (10-12, 8-11, 11-5, 15-13, 11-8)

Drumchapel Glasgow TTC 4 Brighton TTC 3

Garry Dodd (DRUM) bt Billy Shilton (BRI) 3-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7)

Toby Ellis (BRI) bt Joe Mulhern (DRUM) 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4)

Garry Dodd/Danny Bajwa (DRUM) bt Joseph Langham-Ferreira/Toby Ellis (BRI) 3-1 (10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-7)

Danny Bajwa (DRUM) bt Joseph Langham-Ferreira (BRI) 3-1 (11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9)

Toby Ellis (BRI) bt Garry Dodd (DRUM) 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4)

Danny Bajwa (DRUM) bt Billy Shilton (BRI) 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6)

Joseph Langham-Ferreira (BRI) bt Joe Mulhern (DRUM) 3-0 (11-4, 13-11, 11-6)