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Club Championship Report

27/4/2015

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Ladywood saw the Club Championships take place on Saturday 25th April 2015 with the Tournament run on a handicap basis. 

In the first Group stages, the 8 top seeds all managed to get through but not without a couple of surprises, most noticeably as Millie Bennett defeated Abby Wighton to win Group 8.

The second round was played in four groups of four with the first two from each group progressing to the next stage. The 2nd stage group winners and runners up were Greig McDonell (-13), Louis McLeod (+7), Rachel Petrie (+7), James Wighton (-4), Louis Myatt (+7), Luke Hennessey (+5), Abby Wighton (-1) and John Bald (+3) who then competed in the Quarter finals. Major casualties included the number 2 and 3 seeds, Iain Johnstone (-8), who on count back lost out to Abby and John and Clive Liddiard (-4) who lost out to Luke and Louis. 

The 1st Quarter final saw Greig take on Abby in what was regarded by many as the best match of the day with both players playing some great table tennis. Greig gave Abby a 12 point start to 23 and it seemed in each end that it was only after that advantage had been overturned that Abby’s determination and great attacking play really came to the fore. In a terrific deciding end, Greig caught Abby up at 18-18 before Abby as she had done in the previous ends kept the pressure on by taking the game to deuce before just losing out 24-22 in the final end - a match that would have been fitting for the final.

Quarter final number 2 saw Rachel take on son Louis in a tense family affair. Rachel had come through probably the most difficult 2nd round group and had knocked out the number 5 and 6 seeds in Gary Mcdougal and Tony Brentnall. We’re not sure whether harmony has been restored to the household yet after mum showed her experience in a game which was a straight fight to 11 points by putting out Louis, who many thought was one of the pre-tornament favourites for the title!

The 3rd Quarter final saw John take on Louis McLeod with Louis having a 4 point start in a fight to 11 points. Louis, one of the Club’s youngsters who has improved greatly after his first competitive season in the Edinburgh League, was up against a player, however, who had about 50 years more experience than him and John’s defensive style proved just too tricky as John progressed to the semi-final.

The final quarter final saw Luke (+5) take on the number 4 seed, James (-4) with Luke having a 9 point start to 15. Luke has had an excellent first season in the Edinburgh League and having started the season with a +7 handicap has improved significantly resulting in the League taking notice of his results and cutting his handicap by two points. Luke had already taken care of the number 3 seed, Clive in the previous round and he again showed what an improving talent he is by competing well against James. When James won the first end fairly comfortably 15-12 it looked like Luke’s day was over but he bounced back to take the next end 15-10. In the deciding end Luke’s ability to keep in the rallies proved the difference between the two as he took advantage of James’ mistakes to win 15-12 and progress to the semi-final stage.

In the first semi-final, Luke faced John (surely the ringer of the tournament with a +3 handicap) and with only a two point start to 11, the match was always going to be difficult for young Luke. A defensive style is not one that the youngsters are used to training against and this proved the difference as John’s ability to generate a lot of backspin proved too difficult for his opponent. Although Luke rallied towards the end of the match, John’s experience told as he comfortably progressed to the final. 

In the other semi-final Rachel took on Greig with Rachel having a 20-0 start to 24. In front of a big crowd, Rachel found Greig’s serves virtually impossible to return and nerves seemed to play a part as she went into her shell somewhat and didn't attack as much as she had done in previous rounds. Greig’s consistency saw him through in straight ends. Rachel did however start the injury woes for Greig as she actually made him move a couple of times causing twinges in his leg muscles (seemingly they do exist)!!

The final was a bit of an anti-climax and a repeat of the first round group match between John and Greig which Greig had won. John had a 16-0 advantage in a match to 24 points. Greig seemed to spend more time receiving injury timeouts than at at the table whilst John did well to keep his concentration whilst his opponent was falling apart! Having won the first end John decided to add to Greig’s pain by somehow managing to lose the 2nd end causing more injury woes! In the final end John did just enough to squeeze home 24-20 for a well deserved victory. Well done to our 2015 Champion, winning his first trophy since about 1985!! As Greig always says to the kids at Saturday morning coaching sessions a huge part of Table Tennis is about fitness and what better example than John - Greig’s convinced he was in his 60s when he first played with him at Lasswade as a 12 year old boy and that must mean he's about to get a card from the Queen - and yet as Greig struggled to remain standing by the end (in fairness he did play 8 matches where he had to win 24 points to win an end!) there was John looking as spritely as he always has and as fit as he was 30 years ago!!


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The losers from the first group stage played off in groups in the consolation Singles Event and a hard fought competition ensued. One of the pre tournament favourites had been Kathryn McKenzie (+7) but she had fallen at the first hurdle in a tough group to Abby and Millie. It was no surprise therefore to see her battle her way to the Consolation Final. There she met another of the Club’s youngsters Lewis Baldock, who had also had his first taste of competitive table tennis this season in the Cub’s new fifth team who compete in Division 4 of the League. Lewis couldn’t quite match Kathryn’s powerful forehand as she dominated the final to end an excellent days table tennis with the Consolation singles title - Well done Kathryn.

Some thanks to end - to Tom, Greig and Brian (not sure what Brian actually did) for the work done in the run up to the event; to Katharine for her excellent running of the top table (assisted or was it hindered by Tom); to all the Club members and families who took part or came along to support; to all those who brought along a great selection of food and beverages and finally to Maisie for her hard work behind the scenes in getting all the food and drink organised. A terrific and enjoyable day was had by all. 

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CLUB TOURNAMENT - 25th April 2015

23/4/2015

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We have a good entry of 24 players for the Tournament on Saturday. The initial stage shall be played in 8 groups of 3 with the top 2 players from each group proceeding to the next round. Those 16 players will then be placed in 4 groups of 4 with the winners of each group progressing to the semi finals. For the 8 players who finish 3rd in the initial group stage, they will compete for the Consolation Event and shall be divided into 2 groups of 4 with the two winners then battling it out in the Consolation Final. The format means that every player on the day will be assured of playing at least 5 matches.

The draw has now been made and can be viewed by clicking the link below. In relation to the players Handicaps we have used League Handicaps where a player has such and these are also noted below.

1st Round draw - click here

Players Handicaps - click here 

The Tournament will start at 11am with access to the hall from 10.30 when help will be required to get the tables set up etc.
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ELTTL Week 29 Report

19/4/2015

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The final week of the 2014/15 season saw Penicuik's 2nd Team face an important play-off match with a place in Division 1 next season up for grabs. A 2nd place finish in Division 2 saw Penicuik travel to face a strong Corstorphine side who had finished 2nd bottom of Division 1. Before the match started there was a change in the lineup for the visitors as 3rd player Brian Bailey had to pull out due to injury. James Wighton was the able replacement as he joined regulars Clive Liddiard and Tony Brentnall.

On paper the match looked like it would be a difficult one against a team who for the previous two seasons had easily secured mid-table finishes in Division 1. The Penicuik trio knew it was important to build some early pressure on their hosts (Dave Hall, Kenny Fraser & Angel Georgier) and to get off to a good start. It was no surprise therefore that Clive played in the first match of the night against Angel. In an extremely tight affair, Clive saved a couple of match points in end four to force a deciding fifth end but he couldn't find his killer backhand often enough as Angel played some great attacking table tennis as he gave his side the perfect start with an 11-7 deciding end win. Match 2 saw James take on Dave and although all three ends were close, Dave's experience told as he gave Corstorphine a 2-0 advantage. Tony then faced Kenny with the difference being Kenny's ability to play the important points better - 3-0 down and in real trouble. 

The battle of the two number ones then took place between Clive and Dave. Another five ender for Clive but this time he held on in the fifth for an important win to give hope to the visitors by reducing the match deficit to 3-1. Any hope of a comeback for the Penicuik side was short lived, however, as first Tony then James both lost in four ends to give the home side an unassailable 5-1 advantage. The visitors needed to somehow turn the night around and win all the remaining fixtures to salvage a draw.

Unfortunately for Penicuik the night came to a premature end as Corstorphine's doubles duo of Dave and Angel comfortably got the better of James and Clive to give the home side a 6-1 victory in what was a very disappointing night for the Penicuik side. Team Captain, Brian Bailey commented after the match "We simply never got going". Attention for the team now turns to next season and having finished in such a strong position in Division 2 this season, the Team will be looking to go one better next year and gain automatic promotion to Division 1.


A little look away from Penicuik at the Premier/Div 1 playoff match with some "Penicuik interest" as our former Team mate Ian Johnston's University side took on Edinburgh Sports Club. In what must be one of the cruelest ways to lose out ESC came back to salvage a draw but in match 10 of the night University's Kirsten Atkinson won 1 end which on count back proved to be the difference between the teams with that end resulting in University retaining their Premier League status for next season. What a way to miss out on promotion!!!

Season virtually over - only Club Championship remains to be dealt with next week. 

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End of Season Team Results

18/4/2015

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PENICUIK TEAM 1
PENICUIK TEAM 2 
PENICUIK TEAM 3 

PENICUIK TEAM 4
PENICUIK TEAM 5 
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ELTTL Week 28 Report

15/4/2015

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Week 28 was a very quiet one for the Club with virtually all issues now decided. Still to come is the 2nd Team's play off match against Corstorphine with a place in Division 1 next season up for grabs - other than that the only outstanding question was where Team 4 would finish in Division 3.

That was decided as the 4th Team travelled to play their last remaining fixture of the season against Corstorphine 5. Gavin Hunter, Phil Daly and Gregory Leplatre knew that with Corstorphine's 6th Team winning their final match of the season they required at last a draw to secure 3rd place in the Division. What looked like being a simple task against a team with only 5 wins from the season turned out to be anything but straightforward. With both Phil and Gregory struggling on the night, it was left to Gavin to play the pivotal role on the night as he won 3, whilst Phil and Gregory won 1 each as the Penicuik trio did just enough to earn a draw and give themselves an excellent 3rd place finish for the season. With a better start to the season, the 4th Team would certainly have been in the hunt for at least a play off place - with a strong pool of players available good things are expected next season.

Away from the League there was recognition for a number of the Club's players as Greig McDonell, Colin Green, Abby Wighton and Luke Hennessey were selected to represent Edinburgh in the Annual Inter League Event held at SportScotland's National Training Centre at Inverclyde, Largs. 
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Abby had some good wins for the Ladies Team but ultimately there was no success for Edinburgh in a tough event.  Luke found the going very difficult in his first experience at this level of competition but his team in the minor boys event did well to finish runners-up to Aberdeen. In the Veterans Event, Greig and Colin were looking for a third consecutive title as they teamed up this year with Murrayfield's Stan Stoodley and in an extremely competitive event both players lost only one individual game throughout the two day event as they regained the title for Edinburgh. With Edinburgh also winning the men's and the minor girls events, the Edinburgh League won the overall event ahead of reigning champions West of Scotland to round of an excellent weekend.

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