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Strand 1 confirmed as new league champs after win over QUB 1

(B&D League 2018/19 Week 19) Strand 1 have secured their first ever Silver King after a 3.5-1.5 victory at QUB 1.

Division 1

  • QUB 1 1.5-3.5 Strand 1
  • Ballynafeigh 2 2-3 Kelly's Heroes
  • Civil Service 1.5-3.5 Ballynafeigh 1
  • Fruithill Hawks 2-3 QUB 1

Strand 1 went to QUB 1 knowing that a draw against the students would be enough for their first Silver King in only their second year of existence. Calum Leitch, Daniil Zelenchuk, and Modestas Razbadauskas all drew against their QUB counterparts - Sergio Esteve Sanchez, Daniel Diaz-Roncero Gonzalez, and Samuel Ngieng respectively - but Michael Sheerin and John Bradley were not going to be satisfied with the bare minimum, and put their opponents to the sword to secure the title with authority. Kelly's Heroes continued their good form but had some nervy moments against Ballynafeigh 2, while Ballynafeigh 1 saw off bottom side Civil Service. QUB 1 were in action twice this week, as they narrowly defeated the Fruithill Hawks in a rescheduled match from Week 15.

Standings

PlayedPoints
Strand 1 (Champions) 16 85
QUB 1 16 60.5
Kelly's Heroes 17 60.5
Ballynafeigh 1 15 59
Fruithill Hawks 16 57.5
Ballynafeigh 2 15 35
Civil Service 17 34.5

Division 3

  • Bangor 2 5-0 QUB 3 (forfeit)
  • Strand 3 2.5-2.5 Ballynafeigh 3
  • Ballynafeigh 4 2-3 Strand 4
  • Fruithill Ravens 4-1 QUB 3

Bangor 2 received a big boost in their hunt for the Division 3 Plate after QUB 3 forfeit their crunch match due to a lack of available players. This eliminates QUB 3 from contention, and after a rescheduled match from Week 7 between QUB 3 and the Fruithill Ravens, which ended in a 4-1 victory for the Andersonstown Road side after QUB 3 could only field three players, the Groomsport side are 12 points ahead with only 14 more points available. Next week is a free week for Bangor 2, so they will be watching closely for the result from the Ravens' match against Ballynafeigh 3 - anything other than a win for the Ravens hands the Plate to Bangor 2. Despite fielding only four players, bottom side Ballynafeigh 3 came away with a creditable draw against Strand 3, including the upset of the week as Robert Brown (679) defeated Brian Fitzsimons (821). However, they will be left with the wooden spoon after Strand 4 narrowly defeated Ballynafeigh 4.

Standings

PlayedPoints
Bangor 2 17 89
Fruithill Ravens 16 77
QUB 3 15 62
Ballynafeigh 4 16 47.5
Strand 3 15 42
Strand 4 15 41
Ballynafeigh 3 16 26.5
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