WEST LOTHIAN TABLE TENNIS CLUB

Review of League Season 2008/9

As the club’s most successful season yet struggled to a later than normal finish the irony in the situation was that it probably proved to be the most difficult to organise. The season started with a trial run of a new team competition whereby the system changed from a team comprising three players basis to teams of two players with efforts made to equalise team strengths. Simultaneously, this created two divisions instead of the hitherto one. This new system proved a resounding success in the trial and led to the normal season commencing much later than usual, resulting in a similar delay in the season end date..

However, forgetting the time overrun, success came in the form of a number of new players, of all ages, competing for the first time and many making their mark, particularly in division two. Given the new match format of each player meeting both opponents it meant that the doubles encounters often decided the result and this was evident when looking at the performance of both league winners.

Division one was won by the undefeated Linlithgow duo of Lewis Hills and Graham Chambers. This win capped a fine season for Hills who also took the club singles title earlier in the season. Chambers, playing at this level for the first time, may not have won too many of his singles games but he and Hills completed the season undefeated in the doubles. Right behind them with only one loss was the Polbeth team of Barry Hills (father of Lewis) and Zbigniew Stryzewski, another playing his first season in the club. In this partnership both players had good records in singles but lost the crucial doubles game against the league winners. Hills senior capped off his season by being selected to represent Scotland in the forthcoming Six Nations Championships in Isle of Man..

In third spot was Bathgate, for whom regulars Drew McLaren and George Anderson had almost identical personal averages. Again, losses in key doubles matches probably prevented them from finishing even higher. Like Hills, McLaren will also represent Scotland in the Isle of Man. Only one point behind were Andy MacDougall and John Muir representing Deer Park. MacDougall was his usual consistent self but the team’s performance was probably curtailed by a series of injuries to his partner..

Right behind them was Tarbrax for whom George Flanagan lost only one singles match all season – this, inevitably, to Lewis Hills. Notwithstanding, Flanagan also had an excellent season and proved to be the best player in Division One of the Edinburgh League. Partnering him was an enthusiastic Jim Stewart who also played at this level for the first time. There is no doubt that this experience will stand him in good stead next season. Next came the respected Dedridge duo of Keith MacKay and Jeff Yates who are both more than capable beating higher ranked players on their day but this was not their year..

Finishing with the same points tallies were West Calder and Eliburn. For West Calder both Benny Flockhart and Martin Rumsey each won exactly half of their singles encounters but a poor record in doubles meant that results more often than not went against them. In the case of Eliburn Kevin Milne continues to improve but the competition proved too tough for Brian Rooney who was not able to train as often as he would have liked..

Second bottom was Uphall who had two very experienced performers in Frank Kane and Davie Dall. On his day Kane can provide stiff competition for any one but this season he found wins elusive. In Dall, the club has its oldest member but he is now finding the pace at the highest level more of a problem. The wooden spoon was taken by Murieston – surprising in that Ian Mowbray did so well last year and young Daniel MacKay was last year’s junior champion. However, the problem lay in Mowbray’s regular unavailability leading to the need for substitutes..

In the new second division it was appropriate that the eventual winners were a new team comprising two new players. Longridge took the title by winning all their matches save two, with one draw and one loss. At the start it was probably thought that the junior Darren Farquhar would head the team but by the end Jim Knox had the better personal performance. Like the winners of the top division they, too, were undefeated in the doubles rubbers..

Right behind them were Pumpherston who had another top junior in Duncan Ewing and John Swift. Swift had an excellent first season losing only once, as did young Duncan. It was the odd loss in the doubles matches which prevented them doing even better. In third place came Westfield for whom Peter Hagenbuch had a marginally better record than Ros Beck..

After these teams came three clubs with identical points and separated only by games difference. Leading these three was the Faucheldean team of two teenagers. As expected the more experienced Luke Marris led the way but Jason Farquhar won one of every two games played in his first season. For Torphichen, Allan Ewing combined with Paul Keddie to finish mid table. Ewing played in his usual stuffy, difficult to beat manner while Keddie improved steadily as the season progressed. Last in this group of three was Bridgend who used a youthful pool of Ryans in Whyte, Greig and Gray. Of the three the first named is the most experienced and he also topped their averages..

This leaves a bottom four of Armadale, Ecclesmachen, Whitburn and Bellsquarry where each team had a more experienced player matched with players new to the sport. In some respects it seems unfair to compare each team but of the more experienced the club junior champion Kieran Boyle ended undefeated while his dad Kevin, Colin Neilson and Stephen Gray each had creditable averages. Their more inexperienced colleagues will all benefit from their first year of competition and with regular practice sessions throughout the summer should improve greatly..

The new structure was a great success and most of the credit must go to a very efficient Match Secretary, Andy MacDougall, for his organisation, diligence and patience. The West Lothian Courier is also to be thanked for its coverage of table tennis and, in particular, this club.