The winner of this weekend’s tie between Ormeau and Ormesby will go to the top of the SBL Premier Division. Both teams have won three of their four fixtures so far this season, and will have their sights set on topping the league when it splits after the final round.

The new league leader will be decided at 2pm on Sunday, and will be streamed live on Table Tennis England’s online platform tte.tv.

David McBeath, Graeme Barella and Thomas Rayner will travel for Ormesby, with Denis Neale as captain. McBeath has been sensational for the north-east side this year, picking up the player of the match award in each of his three games. His record is easily the best in the league, as the only player to have to have a 100% record after playing more than two ties. Rayner, ranked number 25 in the English senior list and number three in the juniors, is the only other Ormesby squad member to have played in three fixtures this year.

Ormeau have shown real grit so far after being involved in four tight fixtures. Their three wins came with a 4-3 margin, and their only loss was to BATTS by the same score line.

Matt Ware lined up alongside new signing Xavier Dixon and Zak Wilson as they beat North Ayrshire last time out. Dixon, Australia’s number one and ranked 98th in the world, will hope to lead the trio to a victory against last year’s Premier Division champions.

The winner of Sunday’s game will go top of the league with 13 points. The loser will sit on 11, joint with North Ayrshire. Below the top three Batts will end on 10 points having played all six of their fixtures, thanks to the matches that remain it will not be enough to get them a place in the top four as the league splits into two. Urban TTC, Brighton TTC and Fusion all have 9 points from five rounds. 

The final round of matches will be played on 11th and 12th March.

Photo credit: Chris Rayner