Lothians Open Table Tennis Championships 2007/8
Sunday 11th November saw the third annual Lothians Open held at Bathgate Academy and it proved to be the best yet in terms of the number of players competing in the various events. Again, there was a generous sprinkling of international and nationally ranked players although the women’s event might have been stronger. In attendance was Helen Elliot Hamilton, Scotland’s only ever world table tennis champion and a member of Scotland’s Sporting Hall of Fame, although now in her eighty-first year and not presently keeping in the best of health. As usual, she was a keen observer and a source of advice and encouragement to every one. She was also delighted to present the trophy in her name to the winner of the ladies singles. Unfortunately, Davie Dall was not able to be present to present the trophy in his name.
The semi finals of the men’s singles were contested by the top four seeds, all of whom had made it there without the semblance of an upset. In the first semi current holder of the Lothians Trophy and number one seed, Kenny Lindsay of Fife, met Peter Shaw who hails from Lanarkshire. Shaw likes to play more defensively but intersperses his defensive shots with some hard hitting when the occasion arises but found the younger and in form Lindsay too fast and powerful and went down in three straight games. The second semi final was contested by Scotland’s number one ranked veteran, Gerry Campbell from Falkirk, and Glasgow’s Craig Hardie, currently ranked Scotland’s number two junior. On this occasion experience won the day in the form of the superbly fit Campbell who saw off the more error ridden play of his younger opponent. Just as the organisers had predicted, the final matched the top two seeds against each other and with Lindsay being nationally ranked at only two places ahead of Campbell an exciting and close match was in prospect. However, Lindsay retained his title and won the prize money with a straight 11-8,11-6, 12-10 victory. Although the score line suggests an easy victory, many of the points were hard won and keenly contested but Lindsay’s greater control at the table proved a decisive factor as he forced Campbell back from the table.