Paralympic gold medallist Will Bayley starred on his SBL Premier Division debut as he helped Brighton TTC beat BATTS on Saturday. The south-coast side were comfortable 6-1 victors, moving up to fourth in the league.

Bayley lined up alongside Jordan Wykes and Joseph Langham-Ferreira for the home side. Josh Bennett, Shayan Siraj and Jack Bennett were unable to ever take control of the fixture for BATTS. Wykes and Josh Bennett each picked up early victories to leave the tie all square going into the doubles, but from that point on Brighton dominated.

The home side dropped just four sets from the remaining five matches to take the win. Speaking after his first match of the day Bayley said: “I never thought I’d play in the Premier Division so it’s a dream come true.”

He admitted that nerves had played a part in a slightly slow start: “I was slightly nervous as I’ve never played at this level before so I didn’t know if I had a chance to win or not because it’s a step up. I am really proud that I got the win.”

Will is pictured above celebrating taking his match point against Siraj (photo courtesy of Stories of Note – follow on Instagram).

In the weekend’s only other Premier Division tie, new signing Xavier Dixon was instrumental for Ormeau as they beat North Ayrshire (NATTC). 

In the opening two games Martin Johnson beat Matthew Ware, before Dixon beat Dalgleish. Ware and Dixon then combined in the doubles, fighting back to beat the NATTC duo in five. Viktor Gorman, named player of the match, immediately levelled the fixture at 2-2 as he beat Zak Wilson in four. Dixon then left Ormeau in a commanding position as he beat Johnson.

Zak Wilson secured the win for the travelling side, beating Colin Dalgleish in three before Gorman overcame Ware in four to leave the final scoreline at 4-3.

The Belfast outfit now sit second in the league having lost just one of their four matches this season. North Ayrshire remain league leaders, just a point ahead of Ormeau.

Ormesby will play Fusion this Saturday (4th February) in a rearranged tie. 

Results

Brighton TTC 6 BATTS 1

Jordan Wykes (BTTC) bt Shayan Siraj (BATTS) 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4)
Josh Bennett (BATTS) bt Joseph Langham-Ferreira (BTTC) 3-1 (11-7, 11-8, 12-14, 11-4)
Jordan Wykes/Joseph Langham-Ferreira (BTTC) bt Shayan Siraj/Jack Bennett (BATTS) 3-1 (11-3, 13-15, 11-9, 11-6)
Will Bayley (BTTC) bt Jack Bennett (BATTS) 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-5)
Jordan Wykes (BTTC) bt Josh Bennett (BATTS) 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7)
Will Bayley (BTTC) beat Shayan Siraj (BATTS) 3-1 (11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8)
Joseph Langham-Ferreira (BTTC) bt Jack Bennett (BATTS) 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-2)

North Ayrshire 3 Ormeau 4
Martin Johnson (NATTC) bt Matthew Ware (OTTC) 3-1 (11-3, 5-11, 11-3, 11-1)
Xavier Dixon (OTTC) bt Colin Dalgleish (NATTC) 3-0 (11-8, 19-17, 11-8)
Xavier Dixon/Matthew Ware (OTTC) bt Martin Johnson/Colin Dalgleish (NATTC) 3-2 (13-11, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5)
Viktor Gorman (NATTC) bt Zak Wilson (OTTC) 3-1 (14-12, 11-5, 14-16, 11-3)
Xavier Dixon (OTTC) bt Martin Johnson (NATTC) 3-2 (8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6)
Viktor Gorman (NATTC) bt Matthew Ware (OTTC) 3-1 (9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 12-10)
Zak Wilson (OTTC) bt Colin Dalgleish (NATTC) 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-5)