Week 3 was our busiest week of the season so far and started on Monday 29th September with Team 4’s trip to the Gyle to take on Murrayfield 9 in Division 3. Aidan Craig and Ian Hislop kept their places from Week 2’s win and were joined by Chamika Diyunugalge who made his first appearance of the season. Aidan got the team off to a terrific start with a 3-0 win in Match 1 and it looked like Ian was in control in Match 2 before his young opponent worked out his style to force the match into a fifth end – the Murrayfield player held his nerve in an 13-11 victory. When Chamika lost his first match of the season, the visitors found themselves 2-1 down. With Ian losing his second match of the night, Aidan’s and Chamika’s second matches were crucial. They both went the distance – Aidan did brilliantly from 2-1 down to win the 4th and fifth ends 13-11 and that was followed by Chamika securing an 11-8 fifth end win. 3-3 going into the doubles. Aidan and Chamika combined but fell to a four-end defeat and the Penicuik side were on the verge of dropping their first points of the season. Another five-end victory for Chamika kept them in the match and when Aidan won in 4 ends, they took a 5-4 advantage going into the last match of the night. Ian, who by his standards, had had a poor night came good when it mattered to win in 4 and to give Penicuik an excellent 6-4 comeback victory. 3 wins out of 3 for Team 4 but Division 3 looks tough – after three weeks of the season five teams remain undefeated!
Into October and we had three teams playing at home on Wednesday. Team 1 played their first match of the season as they took on Murrayfield 2. Colin Green, Peter Aird and Ryan Docherty were looking to start this season the way they ended last year, and they got off to a great start when Colin showed his fighting spirit coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Jacob Munro in five ends. Peter lost out to young Angus Halliday before Ryan secured a 4-end victory against Keith Dingwall. Match 4 was pivotal and an 11-9 fifth end win for Peter against Jacob gave the hosts a buffer. That buffer was extended when both Colin and Ryan won their second matches in four ends against Keith and Angus respectively. 5-1 going into the doubles and victory was within Team 1’s grasp. The 2 points were secured when Ryan and Colin combined to win the doubles and the score line was made to look even better when both Ryan and Colin won their final matches of the night in five ends, Ryan’s 13-11 in the fifth win v Jacob being the highlight. An 8-2 win for the hosts was an excellent result.
Team 2 also entered the fray on Wednesday night as they faced Murrayfield 4 in Division 1. Team 2 this season comprise James Wighton, Hannah McDonell and Krzysztof Laszkiewicz and they can call on assistance from the injury prone Greig McDonell if they really really need to! With Hannah unavailable and this match having already been rearranged from Week 2, Greig was called into action, still recovering from damaging his ligaments over the summer. He won Match 1 on the night but another win did not follow until Krzysztof won Match 6. 4-2 down and the doubles to play – Team Captain James then made the worst decision of the season so far as he picked Greig and Krzysztof to play – it would be hard to find two more immobile players in the Division – 5-2! The remaining three singles also went the way of the Murrayfield unit as Team 2 fell to an 8-2 defeat.
Finally on Wednesday Team 3 hosted West Lothian 4 in Division 2. Bob Porteous, Kristian Skotzen and Craig Linton took to the table and after the first round of singles matches they led 2-1, wins for Bob and Craig. Match 4 was a really tight affair – Kristian crucially held his nerve for a 15-13 fifth end win but a defeat for Bob kept the visitors in with a fighting chance. Craig won match 6 to give the hosts a 4-2 advantage. The doubles involving Bob and Craig was bizarre – in the first four ends the losing team only scored a total of 18 points over the four ends – the fifth end went to five deuces before the hosts secured a 16-14 victory! The visitors kept alive with a win in match 8 but victories for Bob and Craig gave the hosts a deserved 7-3 win.
Team 2 then rounded the week off on Thursday night with a trip to Haddington. Hannah McDonell came in to the team to join James and Krzysztof and despite the final score, this match could have gone either way. James and Krzysztof lost their opening matches, but the visitors got on the board with Hannah’s win in Match 3. Krzysztof won match 6 after another two losses for the visitors and so it was 4-2 entering the doubles. Young McDonell joined up with Krzysztof and showed what can happen if at least one of the doubles players can move as they combined for a 3-1 win. 4-3 and there was a glimmer of hope for Team 2. Match 8 was the game of the night – Hannah v Craig Stenton – Craig played some unbelievable forehands (as he had been doing all night) and took a 2-0 lead but Hannah battled back to force a decider. She was in trouble at the change of ends but again showed her battling qualities to recover to 8-8. A winner from Craig was then followed by a net dribbler winner to go to match point and two nets in the final rally to give him the match! On such fine margins matches can change! James meanwhile looked like he could have defeated his opponent but lost out in four ends and it was left to Krzysztof to play the last match of the night against Russell Frith – no disrespect to that pair but when the match started at about 9.30 it had five ends written all over it and five long ends at that. The Leisure Centre manager came in on a handful of occasions to tell the players they needed to finish and bizarrely it was Krzysztof who decided to try and speed up some of the rallies to get the match finished – to his detriment as he lost out 11-7 in the decider. A 7-3 defeat for Team 2 but the performances were a step up from the previous night.
And so, to our Player of the Week Award for Week 3. There were great nights for Colin and Ryan for Team 1 – undefeated in singles play and they combined for a doubles victory as Team 1 got off to a terrific start to the season. Craig was undefeated for Team 3 in his first match of the season and was involved in the longest match of the week winning the doubles 16-14 in the fifth. Three excellent performances but they all miss out this week – one player has started the season brilliantly and has been in the running each week for this award – this week he again showed some real nerve as he was once again undefeated in singles play, this time in a tight 6-4 win for his side. 9 singles played over the first three weeks, and 9 matches won – what a terrific start and a well-deserved Player of the Week Award goes to Aidan.
Turning to our controversy of the week section, James and Colin were in action this week so surely there will be something to report on? What? They were both on their best behaviour! What’s going on? Indirectly, James was involved in the match with some controversial moments at Haddington on Thursday evening. Firstly, the issue of apologising for nets and edges came under the spotlight – now in fairness a “sorry” when you win a lucky point is probably, for most of us, not meant anyway so why bother saying it! Certainly, that seemed to be the view of one of the Haddington players - a lack of an apology (whether sincere or not) does cause a little bit of irritation to the opponent though and isn’t it just polite to at least acknowledge a lucky shot?
Secondly, the number of nets at Haddington on Thursday was horrendous - clearly there was something wrong with the nets being used. The loveliest man in the League, Peter Lugton, was watching on and seemed to agree that the equipment was shocking – he didn’t miss a beat however in pointing out that he wasn’t responsible for the state of the equipment as he pointed out the individual who we should raise the issue with! Apparently, he’s known in the Club as “pass the buck” Lugton.
Finally, staying at Haddington, it became clear that they run into the same time constraints as we do. Last match of the night was always going to be a “push-a-thon” between Russell and Krys. The “lady in charge” came into the hall about 9.40 to remind everyone of closing time and ten minutes later returned to point out that the lights were being turned off and doors locked at 10! Typical that the match went to five ends. When Krys levelled the encounter at 9.55 we thought a concession was about to arrive – the mistake Krys made was that he won the end too quickly – 11-4 and that still left 5 minutes – he was too nice and didn’t follow that evil James’ advice to loosen his shoelaces at the changeover, towel down every six points and generally slow the match down! Instead, it was Krys who decided to speed up and tried to win points quicker by attacking – and that played into Russell’s hands – 11-7 in the fifth! There were definitely ends which lasted more than ten minutes and maybe someone should have suggested the expedite system being brought into use. Has that ever been used in recent times in the League? We’re not aware of any matches which have resulted in that outcome. Maybe a bit like yellow and red cards – people know they can be used but they hardly ever are! Anyway, Russell was happy that Krys decided to speed up, the staff were happy that they got out just after 10pm and Penicuik 2 were happy that they didn’t have to spend the night locked in the Aubigny Centre!
No time for a quote of the week this week – instead it’s an award for “garish outfit of the week” – there can only be one winner – he played brilliantly but we wonder whether his luminous green outfit also contributed to his undefeated night – his opponents being somewhat blinded every time he moved! Well done to Ryan – pictured here in the offending items!
Until next week….
Into October and we had three teams playing at home on Wednesday. Team 1 played their first match of the season as they took on Murrayfield 2. Colin Green, Peter Aird and Ryan Docherty were looking to start this season the way they ended last year, and they got off to a great start when Colin showed his fighting spirit coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Jacob Munro in five ends. Peter lost out to young Angus Halliday before Ryan secured a 4-end victory against Keith Dingwall. Match 4 was pivotal and an 11-9 fifth end win for Peter against Jacob gave the hosts a buffer. That buffer was extended when both Colin and Ryan won their second matches in four ends against Keith and Angus respectively. 5-1 going into the doubles and victory was within Team 1’s grasp. The 2 points were secured when Ryan and Colin combined to win the doubles and the score line was made to look even better when both Ryan and Colin won their final matches of the night in five ends, Ryan’s 13-11 in the fifth win v Jacob being the highlight. An 8-2 win for the hosts was an excellent result.
Team 2 also entered the fray on Wednesday night as they faced Murrayfield 4 in Division 1. Team 2 this season comprise James Wighton, Hannah McDonell and Krzysztof Laszkiewicz and they can call on assistance from the injury prone Greig McDonell if they really really need to! With Hannah unavailable and this match having already been rearranged from Week 2, Greig was called into action, still recovering from damaging his ligaments over the summer. He won Match 1 on the night but another win did not follow until Krzysztof won Match 6. 4-2 down and the doubles to play – Team Captain James then made the worst decision of the season so far as he picked Greig and Krzysztof to play – it would be hard to find two more immobile players in the Division – 5-2! The remaining three singles also went the way of the Murrayfield unit as Team 2 fell to an 8-2 defeat.
Finally on Wednesday Team 3 hosted West Lothian 4 in Division 2. Bob Porteous, Kristian Skotzen and Craig Linton took to the table and after the first round of singles matches they led 2-1, wins for Bob and Craig. Match 4 was a really tight affair – Kristian crucially held his nerve for a 15-13 fifth end win but a defeat for Bob kept the visitors in with a fighting chance. Craig won match 6 to give the hosts a 4-2 advantage. The doubles involving Bob and Craig was bizarre – in the first four ends the losing team only scored a total of 18 points over the four ends – the fifth end went to five deuces before the hosts secured a 16-14 victory! The visitors kept alive with a win in match 8 but victories for Bob and Craig gave the hosts a deserved 7-3 win.
Team 2 then rounded the week off on Thursday night with a trip to Haddington. Hannah McDonell came in to the team to join James and Krzysztof and despite the final score, this match could have gone either way. James and Krzysztof lost their opening matches, but the visitors got on the board with Hannah’s win in Match 3. Krzysztof won match 6 after another two losses for the visitors and so it was 4-2 entering the doubles. Young McDonell joined up with Krzysztof and showed what can happen if at least one of the doubles players can move as they combined for a 3-1 win. 4-3 and there was a glimmer of hope for Team 2. Match 8 was the game of the night – Hannah v Craig Stenton – Craig played some unbelievable forehands (as he had been doing all night) and took a 2-0 lead but Hannah battled back to force a decider. She was in trouble at the change of ends but again showed her battling qualities to recover to 8-8. A winner from Craig was then followed by a net dribbler winner to go to match point and two nets in the final rally to give him the match! On such fine margins matches can change! James meanwhile looked like he could have defeated his opponent but lost out in four ends and it was left to Krzysztof to play the last match of the night against Russell Frith – no disrespect to that pair but when the match started at about 9.30 it had five ends written all over it and five long ends at that. The Leisure Centre manager came in on a handful of occasions to tell the players they needed to finish and bizarrely it was Krzysztof who decided to try and speed up some of the rallies to get the match finished – to his detriment as he lost out 11-7 in the decider. A 7-3 defeat for Team 2 but the performances were a step up from the previous night.
And so, to our Player of the Week Award for Week 3. There were great nights for Colin and Ryan for Team 1 – undefeated in singles play and they combined for a doubles victory as Team 1 got off to a terrific start to the season. Craig was undefeated for Team 3 in his first match of the season and was involved in the longest match of the week winning the doubles 16-14 in the fifth. Three excellent performances but they all miss out this week – one player has started the season brilliantly and has been in the running each week for this award – this week he again showed some real nerve as he was once again undefeated in singles play, this time in a tight 6-4 win for his side. 9 singles played over the first three weeks, and 9 matches won – what a terrific start and a well-deserved Player of the Week Award goes to Aidan.
Turning to our controversy of the week section, James and Colin were in action this week so surely there will be something to report on? What? They were both on their best behaviour! What’s going on? Indirectly, James was involved in the match with some controversial moments at Haddington on Thursday evening. Firstly, the issue of apologising for nets and edges came under the spotlight – now in fairness a “sorry” when you win a lucky point is probably, for most of us, not meant anyway so why bother saying it! Certainly, that seemed to be the view of one of the Haddington players - a lack of an apology (whether sincere or not) does cause a little bit of irritation to the opponent though and isn’t it just polite to at least acknowledge a lucky shot?
Secondly, the number of nets at Haddington on Thursday was horrendous - clearly there was something wrong with the nets being used. The loveliest man in the League, Peter Lugton, was watching on and seemed to agree that the equipment was shocking – he didn’t miss a beat however in pointing out that he wasn’t responsible for the state of the equipment as he pointed out the individual who we should raise the issue with! Apparently, he’s known in the Club as “pass the buck” Lugton.
Finally, staying at Haddington, it became clear that they run into the same time constraints as we do. Last match of the night was always going to be a “push-a-thon” between Russell and Krys. The “lady in charge” came into the hall about 9.40 to remind everyone of closing time and ten minutes later returned to point out that the lights were being turned off and doors locked at 10! Typical that the match went to five ends. When Krys levelled the encounter at 9.55 we thought a concession was about to arrive – the mistake Krys made was that he won the end too quickly – 11-4 and that still left 5 minutes – he was too nice and didn’t follow that evil James’ advice to loosen his shoelaces at the changeover, towel down every six points and generally slow the match down! Instead, it was Krys who decided to speed up and tried to win points quicker by attacking – and that played into Russell’s hands – 11-7 in the fifth! There were definitely ends which lasted more than ten minutes and maybe someone should have suggested the expedite system being brought into use. Has that ever been used in recent times in the League? We’re not aware of any matches which have resulted in that outcome. Maybe a bit like yellow and red cards – people know they can be used but they hardly ever are! Anyway, Russell was happy that Krys decided to speed up, the staff were happy that they got out just after 10pm and Penicuik 2 were happy that they didn’t have to spend the night locked in the Aubigny Centre!
No time for a quote of the week this week – instead it’s an award for “garish outfit of the week” – there can only be one winner – he played brilliantly but we wonder whether his luminous green outfit also contributed to his undefeated night – his opponents being somewhat blinded every time he moved! Well done to Ryan – pictured here in the offending items!
Until next week….
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