WEST LOTHIAN TABLE TENNIS CLUB

 

 

Edinburgh & Lothians Table Tennis League Season 2008/9

 

 

About seven years ago the club made the decision to enter a team in the Edinburgh League, in addition to its own league activities, to provide added experience and competition within the club. So it was that one team was entered in the fourth division of that league. Such has been the success since then that there are now two teams playing in Division One and one team playing in Division Two.

 

The A team comprised a pool of George Flanagan, Asif Raja, Keith MacKay and John McCulloch, of whom only Keith MacKay did not have previous experience in the division. Hopes were high that this team would be in contention for the top spot and, but for the regular unavailability of both Raja and McCulloch, might very well have taken the title. That said, this team finished in a very creditable third place.

 

A great deal of the credit for this performance can be put down to the excellent form and consistency of George Flanagan who lost only four games throughout the season to take the prize for the best individual record. Keith MacKay was competing at this level for only the first time after completing the previous season with an average of 73% in division two. No doubt he will benefit greatly from the valuable experience gained this year. As for McCulloch and Raja, their respective averages were down on the previous season but they played so few matches that a direct comparison is difficult.

 

A Team Averages

Played

Won

Lost

Average

George Flanagan

45

41

4

91%

Asif Raja

15

9

6

60%

John McCulloch

12

7

5

58%

Keith MacKay

36

8

28

22%

 

 

Just one point behind was the B team in fourth place. Their pool included captain Steve McKay, Barry Hills and Lewis Hills, all of whom played in last seasonÕs second division title winning team, and Andy MacDougall who joined from the previous yearÕs A team. The surprise packet here was the form shown by Lewis Hills as he powered his way to a 78% average in his first season in the first division and, on an individual basis finished in fifth place. Had he played alongside Flanagan for the year West Lothian might very well have finished the season as champions. MacDougall, with previous experience at this level, was again his usual reliable self and he was ably supported by top Scottish veteran Hills (LewisÕ father) and McKay. There is no doubt that McKay, like MacKay, will profit from this exposure.

 

B Team Averages

Played

Won

Lost

Average

Lewis Hills

54

42

12

78%

Andy MacDougall

24

13

11

54%

Barry Hills

36

17

19

47%

Steve McKay

42

14

28

33%

 

 

All of this gives the club food for thought for next season but regardless of the composition of both first division teams there is little doubt that the club will again be among the contenders vying for the honours.

 

Within the pool of players for the C team was a good mixture of experience and potential. One of the new boys, Kevin Milne, assumed the captaincy and had at his disposal the experience of Drew McLaren, Benny Flockhart, Ian Mowbray and George Anderson to add to the potential of Martin Rumsey. Mid season Zbigniew Strzyzewski from Poland joined the club and he, too, became available for selection.

 

The C team finished in sixth position but its record in the second half of the season suggests that better things can be expected in future. In his second full season at this level Milne led by example and showed that there is much more to come from him in the future. That said, an inspection of the personal averages of the group indicate that the team benefited from an all round team performance. Within the club the gradual improvement of all of these players is readily apparent and with regular training and practice throughout the summer months a better finishing position should be well within their grasp.

 

C Team Averages

Played

Won

Lost

Average

Kevin Milne

42

26

19

62%

Zbigniew Strzyzewski

27

16

11

59%

Benny Flockhart

12

7

5

58%

George Anderson

30

16

14

53%

Ian Mowbray

21

10

11

48%

Martin Rumsey

18

6

12

33%

Drew McLaren

9

3

6

33%

 

 

All of the foregoing indicates a club that is on the ascendancy, to the extent that entering further teams in the Edinburgh League is now a distinct probability. If the committee gives this plan the Ògreen lightÓ watch out for a few of West LothianÕs brightest young stars being given their chance. Among those ready for the challenge are Daniel MacKay, Kieran Boyle and Duncan Ewing with a few others probably ready in the following year. There is also the possibility that the club will attract new players to add to the internal competition for places. One way or another, there is a great degree of optimism for the future.

 

Full details of the Edinburgh & District Table Tennis League can be found on its website at www.edinburghtabletennis.com. Meantime, below are the final positions for both divisions in which the club competed. Of all the divisions in the League, division one was probably the most hotly contested with only five points separating third place from ninth place.

 

Finally, we would wish to thank the West Lothian Courier for its excellent coverage of all the clubÕs activities and we trust that this support will continue for the foreseeable future. Every one at the club is delighted at the positive publicity that they, and the club, receive.