Rumours that Ian McFegans family are rough sleepers have been greatly exaggerated ... they had camped out overnight at the Hut of Dreams to ensure a front row seat to see Captain McFegan in a local derby ... the McFegans wear their hearts on their sleeves ... which is exactly the same place as Ian wears his captains armband.

With the game being shown live on Pye Sports 1 it was a surprise to see so many spectators. It’s fair to say there were more at The Hut of Dreams on Monday night than at the Doha World Athletics Championship.

Surge Captain Andy Melding had picked a strong team ... he had Gedward Sephton and Jimbo Mulvaney as team mates. Whilst Strike Captain McFegan had elected to give youth a chance ... his comrades in arms for the evening were new boys Paul Lyon and Phil Whittred.

In the first Gedward kicked straight into action against Phil ... and when Ginger Jimbo did the same to Paul it was 6-0 to Surge in the blink of an eye. Strike were well and truly on the back foot.

Next it was Captain v Captain ... after some controlled table tennis Captain McFegan was two sets up ... but then Captain Melding thrashed him 11-2 in the third ... undaunted Captain McFegan won the fourth 16-14  to put three points on the board for Strike.  New boy Phil lost the first to Jimbo but then took the next three to record another win for Strike ... two all on the night.  The contest was back on.

The unflappable Gedward was on the table for the next two games ... first he beat Captain McFegan in the singles and then won the doubles, partnered by Andy Melding. Andy then stayed on the table to defeat Paul ... Surge were surging.

Cappo McFegan restored order with a straight sets win over Jimbo ... and with Phil 2-1 up in next there was a glimmer of a recovery for Strike. But it went to five and in a nail biting last set Andy Melding that took it 11-9 for the Surge boys.

Gedward diligently took the last match 3-0 and with it he took the man of the match award. He then took his imaginary betting slip to the imaginary BetGed bookie and gave himself a twenty quid pay out.

In the post match interview Surge’s Andy Melding was asked about his teams 23-12 victory “we now top the division and barring accidents we will stay top until Tuesday night when all the other teams in our division play” ... well, thanks for that amazing insight Andy.

Strike Captain McFegan had this to say “I feel a bit like Frank Lampard, except that he manages a football team and I captain a table tennis team ... and he’s a professional and I’m an amateur ... and he’s in London and I’m in Rainford ... but aside from all that we have our youth policy in common” ... yep, just what I was thinking Captain.

Another good night was had by all at the Hut of Dreams.  Well done Surge.