League leaders Ormeau dropped just two sets as they raced to a 7-0 win against North Ayrshire on Sunday. The Belfast-side showed why they have only lost one game so far this year, putting in an impressive home performance.

North Ayrshire handed a Premier Division debut to Jamie Johnson, younger brother of Martin who also played. It was a tough introduction to the top league, facing Damien Provost (pictured), Xavier Dixon and Oriol Monzo, all of whom have been in scintillating form this year.

Provost beat Chris Main in three to open the tie, before Dixon beat Johson by the same scoreline. Monzo joined Provost for the doubles, in which the pairing of Martin Johnson and Main picked up the first set. That was quickly overturned as the Ormeau duo wrapped up the game 3–1.

Monzo beat Jamie Johnson before the home trio claimed the remaining matches. The Premier Division title is now just two wins away for the Northern-Irish side, although an enticing final-round match against Ormesby is shaping up to be a possible winner takes all fixture for the title.

Check out this extraordinary shot by North Ayrshire's Martin Johnson in the SBL Premier Division match against Ormeau 😮👏🏓

Watch the full match and all other Premier Division matches on demand at https://t.co/Xgo6eN1v6V 📺https://t.co/3aS7yo6KFG pic.twitter.com/cPJSSGr8xH

— Table Tennis England (@TableTennisENG) April 27, 2023

Ormesby ensured they will keep the pressure on Ormeau as the only team now chasing them for the championship. They sit second in the league, just two points behind the current leaders, after Sunday’s match at Urban TTC. 

Connor Green was quick out the blocks for the home side as he beat Graeme Barella. That would turn out to be the only win that Urban TTC would get on the board, as the visitors, led by eventual player of the match Benjamin Piggott, showed why they are current title holders. 

David McBeath and Piggott went unbeaten as the travelling side eventually won 6-1. 

The next round of fixtures take place on Sunday 7th May, with Urban set to host Ormeau and Ormesby due to face North Ayrshire. In the bottom mini-league, Brighton will play Fusion on Saturday 6th May, before travelling to BATTS the following day.

Photo credit: Chris Rayner

Results

Ormeau 7 North Ayrshire 0

Damie Provost (ORM) bt Chris Main (NATTC) 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-7)

Xavier Dixon (ORM) bt Matin Johnson (NATTC) 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-4)

Damien Provost/Oriol Monzo (ORM) bt Martin Johnson/Chris Main (NATTC) 3-1 (7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9)

Oriol Monzo (ORM) bt Jamie Johnson (NATTC) 3-0 (11-1, 11-4, 11-5)

Damien Provost (ORM) bt Martin Johnson (NATTC) 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-5)

Oriol Monzo (ORM) bt Chris Main (NATTC) 3-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7)

Xavier Dixon (ORM) bt Jamie Johnson (NATTC) 3-0 (11-2, 11-6, 11-5)

Urban TTC 1 Ormesby 6 

Connor Green (URB) bt Graeme Barella (ORM) 3-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-9)

David McBeath (ORM) bt Felix Thomis (URB) 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 13-11)

David McBeath / Benjamin Piggott (ORM) bt Connor Green / James Hamblett (URB) 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8)

Benjamin Piggott (ORM) bt Alim Hirji (URB) 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 12-10)

David McBeath (ORM) bt Connor Green (URB) 3-1 (10-12, 11-9, 14-12, 11-6)

Graeme Barella (ORM) bt Alim Hirji (URB) 3-0 (11-6, 11-2, 11-6)

Benjamin Piggott (ORM) bt Felix Thomis (URB) 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 11-6)