Belfast and District Singles Senior League Report (Week 3-5)
Belfast and District League - Week 3 Results
Well done to the Ballymena A Team who beat Hawarden tonight 4:0!
The team this week was Peter McCrum, Barry Clarke, Ethan Sims, Csaba Mezei
Some superb points were on display from all courts this evening.
Man of the Match- A big shout out to Peter McCrum who saved match points in the second set to run home with the victory in the final set!
Also a special mention to the young man of the team, 18yo Ethan Sims, who won tonight in straight sets.
Ethan has won 3 out of 3 matches in his senior A Team Debut, coming back from a 4:0 first set deficit and slamming down no fewer than 15 aces in his match win.
It was lovely of his opponent to congratulate him on both his great play but his problem solving skills and calm demeanour on the court.
Thank you to Csaba for subbing in, he has played his last A Team match for us, winning both in incredible fashion - 60 60 61 60. A superb performance for the team! Played his heart out for the team.
Belfast and District League - Week 4 Results
Ballymena Men’s A Team played a crucial tie against Bangor LTC (who are second to them in the league) on Tuesday night (AWAY).
Not having their full team, the men pulled out a commendable draw 2:2.
This helped to tighten their hold at the top of the league, with 2 points clear.
Well done to Ethan Sims, who played as number 2 for Ballymena this week and continued his stellar run of form, going unbeaten in all 4 matches for the club in his A Team debut.
Captain Pol McAleese reviewed their performance.
“A hard fought draw against a side looking for promotion and a league title was probably the fair result.
Taking any matches off them on their home patch was always going to be a difficult task so drawing 2-2 is a result our boys will take.
We definitely aren't happy that we drew but we are content and hopefully we can push on against another promotion-hunting team in Hilden.
Every game gets tougher and tougher so whilst others might be thinking of a league trophy, our feet are firmly on the ground and all we are thinking of is our next opponent.”
The B Team played a big match against local club ATT. The players brought out their best, winning all four of their matches in straight sets.
The men put on a clinical performance against the ATT side, playing a steady game, with clear tactics and game plans implemented.
The club were happy to see Derek Calderwood back up playing for us, putting in a stellar performance in his first league match of the season.
We are currently sitting second on the league table for division 4 but with the highest win percentage of (73.5%) of games won so far.
The ladies team had an incredibly tough encounter against Cavehill A who are sitting pretty atop of the league, having only dropped a single set in 9 matches.
The cavehill players proved too tough but playing captain Karen Cherry highlighted the matches were played in a good spirit with some terrific rallies.
16 year old Jessica Alexander was applauded for her evident potential moving forward by her opponent. Jess explained it was the consistency of her opponent which really was the deciding factor, acknowledging she hadn’t come across that level of play before.
Belfast and District League Results - Week 5
The week started off with a match for the Men’s Singles B Team against CIYMS at home.
The weather was not kind to the players but they fought through the conditions (which involved heavy rain) to produce good quality matches.
There were some close tussles with Alan winning his match is three sets, and Nick having to save set points in the second set, prevailing in a tiebreak in that set.
Csaba used his lefty prowess to really make his opponent uncomfortable on the court, which didn’t allow the CIYMS player a chance to settle.
Junior club member Peter Gamble (17) made his senior debut for Ballymena. Peter started out of the blocks well, taking an early break, but he succumbed to a very experienced opponent in the end, who was very tactically astute.
On his review of the match Peter stated -
“ My opponent was very good, I started well (2-0 up) but he got a few breaks and took the set 3-6.
I also played with gloves on which I didn’t like but was necessary, but the gloves were too wet by the second set so they didn’t help and my fingers got really cold due to the poor weather conditions.
I still got a couple of points each game, there were lots of deuces in both sets but he was still quite comfortable. I was pleased to get a chance to play for the seniors though.”
Peter you did the club proud, and this will only help to improve your game over the coming weeks and months ahead.
The Men’s B Team continue their strong run of form bringing home a convincing 3:1 win against the CIYMS team.
On Tuesday it was the turn of the BLTC ladies, playing at home they took on Cavehill B.
The team this week was made up of Sarah, Hanka and Sofia.
Cavehill continue to put on a strong showing with their teams, with all three of their players showing great court craft.
Sarah came up against a very experienced player, who had a lovely all court game, with lovely slices, touch and net play.
Goodrich learnt from the first set and made the second closer, which showed great tactile awareness.
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the level of play from her opponent was just too strong on the day, who earned a two set victory.
With each match though Goodrich is gaining vital on court singles practice which will stand her in good stead.
Hanka McGowan faced a very aggressive attacking player who didn’t allow her time to settle in many points. Taking shots early, hitting flat strikes especially of the serve and forehand.
McGowan fought to the bitter end like she always does, using her athleticism and grit to make more balls in court, while trying to counter the aggressive game style of her opponent. On the night, it just wasn’t enough with the Cavehill player hitting through Hanka’s defence to seal the win.
15 year old Sofia Jackova made her senior debut this week for the Ballymena Singles Team, following her debut as a 14 year old in the doubles last year.
Sofia gave the strongest performance of the night for the team. Nerves played a part in the first set, which she lost 62.
She regrouped in the second, using her strong groundstrokes to push her opponent back and not allowing her to step in.
Jackova found a higher first serve percentage which allowed her to attack more, allowing her to move out into a 5:2 lead in the second.
Her opponent used their experience to make a lot of balls and placing them in difficult positions as Jackova tried to close the set.
Some tactically misjudgements in the closing moments of the second cost Sofia, which helped her opponent seal the win 7:6 after a tiebreak.
When reviewing the match Sofia stated,
“I need to move my opponent more around the court. If I did this I believe I could have Stroud a good chance of sealing the set and then the win, but I learnt a lot that I will put work into improving on, especially with on court tactics and managing my nerves.”
The Men’s B Team were back playing again on Friday night against Cavehill. This was a rescheduled match due to rain.
This was the tie of the league so far with quite simply superb matches.
Csaba Mezei summed up the matches by stating the following -
“Alan was match point down in the second set, vomiting in the third, but he found a way to win. Ballymena won 63 67 75
Nick's opponent was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. Ballymena won 64 57 61
I saved three set points in the first set. Would it have been a different story if he had won the first set? Ballymena won 76 64
Ashton was experiencing severe cramps in the third set at 5-5, 40-30 while serving. After a 10-minute medical timeout, he miraculously won his match. Ballymena won 67 64 75
It was an insane victory! What a beautiful game!!!”
Ballymena won the tie 4:0 putting them 5 points clear at the top of the league with 15 points.
They have one match left to complete, taking on Downshire, AWAY. This will be a massive match for the players, as could help them seal the league! Let’s go Ballymena.
Our Men’s A Team didn’t get to complete their match due to unplayable courts away to Hilden.
They have three ties left, this week against Cloughey, then against Boat Club and the rescheduled match against Hilden.
Well done to everyone who competed this week, you did the club proud as always.
Singles League Standings after Week 5 -
Ballymena Men’s A - Joint 1st
Ballymena Men’s B - 1st
Ballymena Ladies A - 5th
To view full standings please click here -
https://ti.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/league?id=2CEF34B3-50BD-40CA-A755-1A356DBBFEC6
