22nd September-07
THE DRUM IS BACK

was the bold message on promoted Drumchapel Glasgow's T-shirts and after their top class display in the opening round of British League Premier Division matches against Sycamore it is clear that they will be challenging for honours.

It was Glasgow's best known player Ryan Jenkins who came under the most pressure and he looked to be in real trouble against an inspired Matt Kenny. Matt, playing fluently and with real flare surged into a 2-0 lead and although Ryan hit back it was touch and go in the fifth end before Ryan finally clinched the match 6-11, 12-14, 11-6, 11-5, 13-11. Glasgow's second new signing Sau Ayemojuba was on second and he showed his style as he beat Shaun Marples 8-11, 11-2, 12-10, 11-6. He too should be a real asset. After falling 2-0 behind Sycamore's challenge never reached the same heights again and Stephen Jenkins and Craig Howieson showed their strength as they both won their singles 3-0. Stephen Jenkins shaded it 13-11, 12-10, 13-11 against Matt Kenny whilst Craig Howiseon showed his class as he grew in confidence against Adam Frost. Craig came through to win 13-11, 11-6, 11-2. An 8-0 win on their return to the Premier Division. Not a bad way to mark their return !.

Nine times Champions DHS London Progress I also made an impressive start and disposed of dark-horses Ormesby 7-1. It proved to be a good match for Terry Young who beat both Michael Marsden (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9) and David Meads (16-14, 11-9, 11-9) whilst Progress's new signing Jiang Zhi Tao made a successful debut. He beat Nigel Eckersley (11-7, 11-7, 13-11) and Michael Marsden 11-6, 11-13, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3. Progress Captain Jason Sugrue, so often the team's talisman was his side's only loser missing out 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 6-11 to David Meads but he won't be too concerned. Marco Essomba put his modest form in Division One South a couple of weeks ago firmly behind him with two battling wins. He beat Damien Nicholls 11-5, 12-14, 11-7, 11-9 and Nigel Eckersley 8-11, 11-4, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11. An excellent start by the Champions and they still have two notable players on the bench - Jiang Chang Hong and European Veterans Champion Colum Slevin.

With England internationals Andrew Rushton and Gareth Herbert playing at numbers one and two TTK Greenhouse were always going to be a tough side to beat. However, it was debutant Fatlum Sadiku (under-ranked nationally at no. 286) who stole the show in their 6-2 victory over Urban Progress I. Sadiku produced the best win of the morning as he beat Costas Papantoniou (England no. 50) 11-9, 11-9, 2-11, 11-9. Henry Medellin also made his mark as he beat Egle Adomelyte 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 as TTK surged into a 6-0 lead. Chris Lewis notched Urban's first win as he beat Medellin 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5 and Egle made the scoreline more respectable as she beat Fatlum Sadiku 11-9, 11-9, 12-10.

Ellenborough I were fairly convincing 6-2 winners over Oxford Fire Place Centre I and it was Swedish defender Thomas Bennborn who scored the most notable win, beating Oxford no. one Jing Wei 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8. Jing Wei, an integral member of the Oxford side who finished as Runners-Up last year showed his class in his second singles beating Ellenborough no. one Lorestas Trumpauskas 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9. Owen Clutterbuck was Oxford's other winner and he scored a fine 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7 victory over Jimmy Walsh.

Steve Kerns Press Officer
British League