Ormeau hosted Drumchapel today in an eagerly anticipated match with some high quality players on show. Ormeau fielded their 2 young French stars in Lucas Molland and Alexis Lebrun along with the experienced Spaniard Oriol Monzo who recently made the last 16 in the World Ping Pong Championships. Representing Drumchapel were English International David McBeath, Spanish International Marc Duran and young Scottish star Yaser Razouk.
DOUBLES: MOLLAND & LEBRUN -V- MCBEATH & RAZOUK
Ormeau’s French duo played some fabulous Table Tennis right from the start and it was noticeable that Razouk began to reach form a little too late. The first two sets were very tight but both went to Ormeau and they ran away with the third with some breathtaking winners from both sides. 1/0 ORMEAU
SINGLES: MONZO -V- DURAN
This was a great match up as both players know each others game inside out and are good friends, off the Table that is!
Duran won the first comfortably but Oriol levelled matters with some brilliant F/H counter loops. Duran won the 3rd 11/9 and won the final point with a shot that clipped the net which usually comes with an apology but not on this occasion! This visibly upset Oriol and may have contributed to him losing the 4th set 11/4. Let’s face it when we get a lucky shot we aren’t sorry at all but its usually the done thing to apologise. Tricky one but Duran won the match! 1/1
SINGLES: LEBRUN -V- RAZOUK
Alexis is a great talent and has every shot in the book, he also has some amazing serves and served the only ace of the day in this match! Lebrun won the first set comfortably but Razouk came back admirably to steal the second 16/14 with some consistent F/Hs back from the table.
Alexis won a tight third set and then seemed to relax and ran away with the fourth. 2/1 ORMEAU
SINGLES: MONZO -V- MCBEATH
This match was a real treat for the large Belfast crowd as you had Monzo who has real flair and plays a lot of high risk shots against the technically brilliant and very composed McBeath. Both players were at their best and it was no surprise that it went to a 5th set decider. Monzo and Mcbeath had an epic rally at 2-2 and 9-9 which seen both sides benefit from nets, and ultimately Mcbeath scrambling on for Monzo to miss a smash to go 10-9 up! Not to be this time, as the on form Mcbeath deservedly won 12/10 and levelled the tie. 2/2
SINGLES: MOLLAND -V- DURAN THE DECIDER!!
You would think that Lucas would have been nervous as so much depended on this match but he definitely didn’t show it. The level of play was arguably the best of the day as both players went all out for victory. Duran is a very clever player, looks to have a clear game plan in his matches and his only British League loss this season is to the brilliant Japanese Chopper Satoshi Aida so Molland was up against it. The match was a cracker and like the previous match went to a decider. Some of the back from the table topspin v topspin rallies were just amazing and Lucas just got the better of his Spanish opponent to win 3/2. Allezz Ormeau!!
Final Score: 3/2 ORMEAU
Time to get your breath back and once again a real pleasure for all the spectators to see World class Table Tennis at their doorstep. Thanks for a spectacular match Drumchapel, and we look forward to the play offs.
Shout out to non playing captain and Ormeau co founder Keith Knox for coaching the lads to a fine result.
Report by Allen Robson
