WEST LOTHIAN TABLE TENNIS CLUB

SCOTTISH PRIMARY SCHOOLS TABLE TENNIS TEAM EVENT - 2008

Whendd Table Tennis Scotland drew up plans for the first ever Scottish Primary Schools team event, West Lothian Table Tennis Club felt unable to enter a team because most of its kids were too young and inexperienced. Club coaches felt that asking them to compete in such an important event at such an early stage in their development would have been detrimental to their progress and to their confidence. However, one young West Lothian player certainly had the ability and confidence and, because of the club’s affiliation to the Edinburgh District League, he was eligible to compete for an Edinburgh team. So St Mary’s, Bathgate pupil Kieran Boyle was duly selected along with two boys from Newtongrange Primary School, Alexander Duff and Jordan Mill, for the Edinburgh team, which competed in last Sunday’s competition in Glasgow. Travelling with them for the event was Penicuik coach Tom MacKenzie, West Lothian coach John McCulloch and Edinburgh chairman Ken Cadogan.

Vying for the first ever titles were 22 boys teams and 7 girls teams from throughout the length and breadth of Scotland. Play was on a knockout basis and because the Edinburgh team did not have much experience in the organised tournament circuit they were a reasonably unknown quantity whereas there were recognised top quality, Scotland ranked players liberally dotted about the various other teams. Under these circumstances there was a slight nervousness about the early performances of the young Edinburgh participants but confidence is borne of winning and, so, they grew in confidence.

The design of the event was slightly unusual in that each team comprised three players with the number one and two ranked players scheduled to meet their opposite numbers but the third game was to be contested by respective number three ranked players. Once a result had been achieved i.e. one team having three wins under its belt, the match drew to a close. Being the more nationally recognised player, Alexander Duff was put in at number one in the Edinburgh team with Kieran Boyle at number two and Jordan at number three.

In the first round Edinburgh had a bye and in the second round they easily beat a local Glasgow team 3-0. In the last eight they met North Ayrshire where the result was the same but they found the competition much stiffer. Just as importantly, they bonded and developed a team spirit, which added to their growing confidence and it was a team spirit that would be tested to the full in the later rounds. Gradually, nervousness was replaced with hope.

This latest win took them to the semi finals where they met a very strong team from Perth and probably the most tense and exciting encounter of the day ensued. Alexander, as usual, went in first and was unlucky to lose to their number one. The next game went in the way of Edinburgh as Kieran won but Jordan lost the next for the team to go 1-2 down. At this point, the match took centre stage as it was the only tie still being played, but rather than fall foul of stage fright the Edinburgh boys found renewed determination. Alexander then bravely put the Edinburgh squad back into the mix with a good win over a much more physically strong opponent. Score was now even at 2-2 and game on.

Kieran then had the dubious honour of playing the Perth number one with the eventual result hanging on his young shoulders and what developed was an exciting encounter. Both players played an attacking game but, of the two, Kieran showed far more mobility. As chance would have it, even this game went to a deciding set, which was peppered with long rallies of the highest quality to the delight of the spectators. Although keenly contested, Kieran won the set and, therefore the game, to put Edinburgh in the final. It is fair to say that at this point the Edinburgh boys were as surprised as the organisers.

In the final Edinburgh were due to meet the all conquering Falkirk team, which comprised two of Scotland’s greatest hopes in Scottish Schools under 14 champion Christopher Wheeler and Scotland under 14 ranked number four, Blair Fowler. To these two was added Elliot Muir, himself no slouch, as the Falkirk team had not lost a game on their way to the final. With Falkirk odds on favourites to complete the tournament with yet another whitewash, Kieran came to the table to meet what many in the sport consider to be the best young Scottish prospect in many years, Christopher Wheeler.

Having never before competed at this level, Kieran was understandably overawed as Wheeler exhibited all his ability and technique to take the first set 11-2.With the support of the Edinburgh squad fully behind him Kieran returned to the table determined to play with a more positive attitude to add to his natural athleticism. All of a sudden his game clicked as he started to return Wheeler’s topspin shots from either wing and even hit forehand winners of his own. To the astonishment of all, especially the Falkirk team, Kieran took the second end at 11-9. Despite the best efforts of the Falkirk coaches, Wheeler was unable to turn the tide and the third end went to Kieran who recorded a 2-11,11-9,11-9 victory over a top quality opponent.

This, however, proved to be the high mark of Edinburgh’s performance in the final as Alexander lost to Blair Fowler, Jordan to Elliot Muir and Kieran to a very vocal and pumped up Blair Fowler. He, obviously, wasn’t going to go down the same way as Wheeler.

All in all, the Edinburgh squad can be extremely proud of their exploits. Not only did they play to the best of their respective abilities, but they also gained valuable experience against the best Scottish players in the same age range. The coaches were pleased with their charges but it is probably fair to say that the biggest smiles belonged to two dads who had come along to support their sons.