Ormesby and BATTS made it two from two as they ran out winners on an enthralling weekend of SBL Premier Division action.

Last season’s runners up Ormesby showed why they are widely expected to challenge for a top spot once again this season as they beat current champions Ormeau 6-1. David McBeath put in an inspired performance for the home side, dropping just one game all afternoon. 

He set the tone coming through some tight moments in the opening match against Zak Wilson to win in four. Spaniard Daniel Berzosa immediately levelled, but that would end up being Ormeau’s only win of the day. 

After a thrilling weekend of #SBLPrem Round 2 action, here is how the board shapes up 🏓#tabletennis #england pic.twitter.com/GPpAXDfy5n

— Table Tennis England (@TableTennisENG) October 23, 2023

On Saturday BATTS and Brighton played out a tense match, arguably the closest of the weekend. Honours were even heading into the doubles after BATTS’ Christopher Doran beat Toby Ellis and David Andersson overcame Ralph Pattison. Josh Bennett joined Pattison to beat Ellis and Andersson in four.

Ihor Zavadskyi quickly beat Pattison to bring the tie to 2-2. With the scoreline delicately poised an incredible match was being played out between Doran and Andersson. When one player appeared to gain the initiative it was almost immediately snatched back by the other, giving the local crowd a thrilling five-set affair to enjoy. Doran eventually came out on top but only after coming back from two games down and winning the fourth 16-14.

A father and son duo saw Fusion past league newcomers TableTennisDaily (TTD). Lorestas and Larry Trumpauskas put in excellent performances, with Lorestas awarded player of the match for his efforts. They got the home side off to a flyer, Lorestas beating Tom Maynard in three and Larry overcoming Umair Mauthoor in four. TTD won the doubles, but the following singles matches saw the victory confirmed for Fusion as Johannes Klang won in five, and Loestas Trumpauskas picked up his second victory of the afternoon.

The eventual 5-2 scoreline did not quite show how much TTD pushed Fusion overall. They will have gained confidence from their performance and be hopeful of picking up a first Premier Division win soon.

Check out this insane doubles rally from yesterday's #SBLPrem match between @TweeTTDaily and @Fusionttc! 🏓🏓😮 pic.twitter.com/7OiG6qYAHv

— Table Tennis England (@TableTennisENG) October 22, 2023

North of the border North Ayrshire (NATTC) took the honours from a Scottish derby. Drumchapel Glasgow found themselves two down as Hugo Torngren beat Danny Bajwa and Garry Dodd lost out to Colin Dalgleish, both in five.  NATTC picked up a huge amount of momentum from clinching those tight opening moments, running out eventual 6-1 winners despite a spirited performance from Drumchapel Glasgow.

You can watch all this weekend’s matches again on TTE.TV.

SBL Premier Division action will return on 2nd December, with three ties set to be played. Fusion will host Ormesby, North Ayrshire will make the long journey to Brighton and TableTennisDaily will look to get their first win on the board against Drumchapel Glasgow.

Photo credit: Michael Loveder

Results

Ormesby 6 Ormeau 1

David McBeath (ORMS) bt Zak Wilson (ORM) 3-1 (11-8, 11–9, 9-11, 11-8)

Daniel Berzosa (ORM) bt Jose Enio Mendes (ORMS) 3-1 (5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3)

Jose Enio Mendes/David McBeath (ORMS) bt Zak Wilson/Daniel Berzosa (ORM) 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-7)

Sam Mabey (ORMS) bt James Skelton (ORM) 3-1 11-3, 11-8, 10-12, 12-10)

David McBeath (ORMS) bt Daniel Berzosa (ORM) 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-8)

Sam Mabey (ORMS) bt Zak Wilson (ORM) 3-1 (11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10)

Jose Enio Mendes (ORMS) bt James Skelton (ORM) 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-4)

North Ayrshire 6 Drumchapel Glasgow 1

Hugo Torngren (NATTC) bt Danny Bajwa (DRUM) 3-2 (11-4, 6-11, 8-11, 14-12, 11-4)

Colin Dalgleish (NATTC) bt Garry Dodd (DRUM) 3-2 (11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10)

Colin Dalgleish/Martin Johnson (NATTC) bt Victor Guang Shi/Danny Bajwa (DRUM) 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-5)

Victor Guang Shi (DRUM) bt Martin Johnson (NATTC) 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11–8)

Hugo Torngren (NATTC) bt Garry Dodd (DRUM) 3-1 (11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8)

Martin Johnson (NATTC) bt Danny Bajwa (DRUM) 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-8)

Colin Dalgleish (NATTC) bt Victor Guang Shi (DRUM) 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-4) 

BATTS 4 Brighton TTC 3

Christopher Doran (BAT) bt Toby Ellis (BRI) 3-1 (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7)

David Andersson (BRI) bt Ralph Pattison (BAT) 3-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7)

Josh Bennett/Ralph Pattison (BAT) bt David Andersson/Toby Ellis (BRI) 3-1 (11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5)

Ihor Zavadskyi (BRI) bt Josh Bennett (BAT) 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 13-11)

Christopher Doran (BAT) bt David Andersson (BRI) 3-2 (11-13, 10-12, 11-9, 16-14, 11-6)

Josh Bennett (BAT) bt Toby Ellis (BRI) 3-0 (11-8, 11-9, 11-7)

Ihor Zavadskyi (BRI) bt Ralph Pattison (BAT) 3-1 (8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3)

Fusion 5 TableTennisDaily 2

Lorestas Trumpauskas (FUS) bt Tom Maynard (TTD) 3-0 (14-12, 11-9, 11-8)

Larry Trumpauskas (FUS) bt Umair Mauthoor (TTD) 3-1 (11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5)

Tom Maynard/Amirul Hussain (TTD) bt Johannes Klang/Lorestas Trumpauskas (FUS) 3-2 (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9)

Johannes Klang (FUS) bt Amirul Hussain (TTD) 3-2 (10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 12-10)

Lorestas Trumpauskas (FUS) bt Umair Mauthoor (TTD) 3-0 (12-10, 11-8, 12-10)

Tom Maynard (TTD) bt Johannes Klang (FUS) 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-5)

Larry Trumpauskas (FUS) bt Amirul Hussain (TTD) 3-2 (11-8, 11-7, 2-11, 9-11, 11-7)