Bangor Groomsport start new season with a bang
Division 1
- CS Lewis Lions 2-3 Muldoons 1
- The A Team 2-3 QUB 1
- Bangor Groomsport 3.5-1.5 Ballynafeigh 1
The big story in Division 1 this week was the defeat of champions Ballynafeigh 1 at the hands of Bangor Groomsport. Ballynafeigh had seen a number of players leave over the summer, whether to other clubs in the area or further afield, so a repeat of last year's runaway league victory is unlikely. Nevertheless, despite that and the unavailability of some of their remaining players, a makeshift four-man Ballynafeigh 1 team were still the favourites against Bangor Groomsport on Thursday night. Michael Sheerin shared the point with Bill Lavery on board 4 before Walter Wilson defeated Robert Lavery, who missed a clear win in the early middlegame and came under intense pressure immediately afterwards. It got worse for the visitors as Mike McKimm (1445) capitalised on a blunder from John O'Doherty (1632) to seal the bonus points for Bangor Groomsport. David Houston was never seriously troubled by Alan McConnell, but by the time he wrapped up victory the damage was done.
Elsewhere, there were narrow wins for Muldoons 1 and QUB 1.
Division 2
- Muldoons 2 2.5-2.5 Kelly's Heroes
- NI Civil Service 3-2 CS Lewis Witches
- Ballynafeigh 2 3-2 Fruithill
Division 2 started with three tight matches; when the dust settled, NICS and Ballynafeigh 2, who respectively beat the CS Lewis Witches and Fruithill 3-2, emerged as the initial joint leaders. Muldoons 2 achieved a creditable draw against Kelly's Heroes, thanks partly to a win for Pat McKillen (1385) against David Ruben (1563).
Division 3
- Ballynafeigh 3 3-2 Ballynafeigh 4
- QUB 2 5-0 QUB 3
- Andrew's Army 4.5-0.5 Bangor Wannabees
QUB 2 are top of Division 3 after whitewashing QUB 3, while Andrew's Army are not far behind after dropping only half a point to the Bangor Wannabees. Ballynafeigh 3 recorded a narrow victory over a Ballynafeigh 4 side which included three new recruits to the Ormeau Road outfit.
