It could not be tighter at the top of Premier Division as Ormesby, Brighton TTC, Ormeau and BATTS all sit on 10 points after four rounds.

With the league split into a top and bottom four in just three rounds time, the race to secure a chance to play for the title is intensifying

Reigning champions Ormeau will field a strong team for what is sure to be a scintillating fixture against Brighton TTC. 

The Northern-Irish side welcome Miguel Pantoja to their roster. He plays for Spanish league team Burgos and is a member of the national training centre in Madrid.

Gervis Knox, Ormeau founder and Coach, knows how important a victory on Saturday will be if they are to defend their title. 

Ahead of the tie he said: “We know this weekend will be a tough match if Brighton are able to get their new signings out, but feel our team has great depth and fighting spirit so will rise to the challenge. A win for us this weekend would open the division right up again and put us in a great position.”

Damien Provost and Daniel Berzosa, who both play in the Spanish league with Pantoja, will make up their trio. 

Brighton’s new signing Tom Jarvis made an immediate impact after his return to the SBL. The national champion was instrumental as the south-coast side beat last year’s runners up Ormesby in December. David Andersson has featured in all four of Brighton’s matches this season, and is likely to feature once again. 

Enio Mendes, Radoslav Kamberov and a once again fit Sam Mabey will be looking to bounce back from defeat last time out as Ormesby head to Scotland. 

North Ayrshire welcome them for their second home fixture of the campaign, and in search of their second win. Martin Johnson, Colin Dalgleish and Chris Main will make up their squad. 

TableTennisDaily (TTD) have won back-to-back matches after a tough start to the season. They travel to BATTS, knowing a win would put them firmly in contention for a top four place. 

They name an unchanged trio of Callum Evans, Tom Maynard & Umair Mauthoor. 

Anthony Kent, TTD Team Manager, knows it will be a tricky fixture:

“’It was a slow start to a very strong division but we’ve picked up two wins now and looking to better that this Saturday. It won’t be easy against a top side in BATTS but we’ll go there with confidence and see what we can accomplish. 

“Our run-in for the remaining games are all against teams above us, so picking up another win is a tough ask but we’ll bring the passionate, fighting spirit of TTD into every clash and hopefully finish in the top half.”

BATTS will be missing Ralph Pattison who is away on international duty in Sweden. The team of Chris Doran, Alexis Douin and Josh Bennett will be aiming to consolidate their place in the top four.

Drumchapel Glasgow are still looking for their first win of the season. Garry Dodd, Danny Bajwa, and Yaser Razouk will line up against Fusion. 

Ahead of the tie Bajwa said: “It was a close game against a top BATTS side (last round), and there were some good performances from the team. We’re hoping to build on those positives and try secure a result on Saturday.”

You can watch every match live on TTE.TV. 

Photo credit: Michael Loveder

Fixtures

Saturday 13th January – 14:00

Brighton TTC v Ormeau 

North Ayrshire v Ormesby 

Fusion v Drumchapel Glasgow

BATTS v Table Tennis Daily