Week 9 of the Edinburgh League saw four of our six teams in action.
Team 1 v North Merchiston 2
With Ryan Docherty unavailable, Colin Green, Peter Aird and Greig McDonell (stepping up from Team 2) produced an excellent 7-3 victory in their Premier Division match v North Merchiston. Colin led the way with 3 wins, Peter added 2, Greig chipped in with 1, and the pair of Colin and Peter secured the doubles. A strong performance all round.
Team 3 v North Merchiston 4
It's been a difficult start to the season in Division 2 for Kristian Skotzen, Charlie Brindley and Bob Porteous. They faced a North Merchiston side reduced to two players – but that didn’t stop Graham Booth and Julia Domegala from turning the tables on their hosts. Despite the numerical advantage, Team 3 fell to a 6–4 defeat in what was an incredibly close contest. The match featured four fifth-end deciders, and the visitors won all four – that was the difference on the night. Charlie picked up 2 wins, while Bob and Kristian each added 1.
Team 5 v North Merchiston 6
Rachel Petrie, Roscoe Cairney and Iain Caddell faced another difficult match in Division 4 as they battled hard against their Edinburgh based opponents. Thy endured another tough outing, going down 7–3. All three players managed 1 win apiece, with the visitors proving too strong overall.
Team 4 v Haddington
Aidan Craig, Chamika Diyunugalge and Jay Jayalath didn’t mess around as they stormed to an emphatic 8–2 win in their Division 3 match. Aidan maintained his 100% record with 3 wins, while Jay and Chamika contributed 2 each, and the doubles rounded off a dominant night. This result keeps Team 4 firmly at the top of the Division 3 table.
Player of the Week
Two players went unbeaten in singles and also won their doubles – Colin Green and Aidan Craig. Colin won 9 ends and lost 2 whilst Aidan won 9 ends and lost 1. On paper, Aidan edges it… but he’s already claimed this award twice this season. We’re afraid you can’t win it again, Aidan! And if you’re not taking it, Colin isn’t either – so where do we turn now? This week, the award goes to someone who continues to put in the effort with the kids on Saturday mornings, most recently spending hours on her Halloween special. The kids look forward to her coaching, partly because they get a break from James, but mainly because they get to play creative games. She’s also back playing in the League this season and has done all this while going through a bit of a difficult time with her health. Well done to Hannah – a true star off and on the table!
Controversy of the Week
In a match involving Team 3, Craig and Kristian were playing doubles when their opponents hit a shot so wildly off target that Craig instinctively headed it to stop it flying into the neighbouring court. Common sense says the point was over – the ball was clearly sailing out unless a hurricane suddenly swept through Ladywood! However, the opponents argued the point should go to them because the ball hadn’t crossed the end line and was therefore still “live”. Really? Penicuik’s view was that once the ball is obviously out, the rally is done – but they weren’t 100% sure. The opponents were adamant that until it passes the end line, it’s in play.
The rules offer some guidance:
A player obstructs the ball if they, or anything they wear or carry, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched their court since last being struck by their opponent - a point is scored if a player obstructs the ball.
And another key rule:
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point if the ball passes over their court or beyond their end line without touching their court, after being struck by an opponent. So, was Craig guilty of obstruction? Or was this just common sense versus technicality? Answers on a postcard… Meantime, Craig’s heading skills might earn him a football contract with his beloved Hibs, but in table tennis, maybe just use your bat, Craig!
Team 1 v North Merchiston 2
With Ryan Docherty unavailable, Colin Green, Peter Aird and Greig McDonell (stepping up from Team 2) produced an excellent 7-3 victory in their Premier Division match v North Merchiston. Colin led the way with 3 wins, Peter added 2, Greig chipped in with 1, and the pair of Colin and Peter secured the doubles. A strong performance all round.
Team 3 v North Merchiston 4
It's been a difficult start to the season in Division 2 for Kristian Skotzen, Charlie Brindley and Bob Porteous. They faced a North Merchiston side reduced to two players – but that didn’t stop Graham Booth and Julia Domegala from turning the tables on their hosts. Despite the numerical advantage, Team 3 fell to a 6–4 defeat in what was an incredibly close contest. The match featured four fifth-end deciders, and the visitors won all four – that was the difference on the night. Charlie picked up 2 wins, while Bob and Kristian each added 1.
Team 5 v North Merchiston 6
Rachel Petrie, Roscoe Cairney and Iain Caddell faced another difficult match in Division 4 as they battled hard against their Edinburgh based opponents. Thy endured another tough outing, going down 7–3. All three players managed 1 win apiece, with the visitors proving too strong overall.
Team 4 v Haddington
Aidan Craig, Chamika Diyunugalge and Jay Jayalath didn’t mess around as they stormed to an emphatic 8–2 win in their Division 3 match. Aidan maintained his 100% record with 3 wins, while Jay and Chamika contributed 2 each, and the doubles rounded off a dominant night. This result keeps Team 4 firmly at the top of the Division 3 table.
Player of the Week
Two players went unbeaten in singles and also won their doubles – Colin Green and Aidan Craig. Colin won 9 ends and lost 2 whilst Aidan won 9 ends and lost 1. On paper, Aidan edges it… but he’s already claimed this award twice this season. We’re afraid you can’t win it again, Aidan! And if you’re not taking it, Colin isn’t either – so where do we turn now? This week, the award goes to someone who continues to put in the effort with the kids on Saturday mornings, most recently spending hours on her Halloween special. The kids look forward to her coaching, partly because they get a break from James, but mainly because they get to play creative games. She’s also back playing in the League this season and has done all this while going through a bit of a difficult time with her health. Well done to Hannah – a true star off and on the table!
Controversy of the Week
In a match involving Team 3, Craig and Kristian were playing doubles when their opponents hit a shot so wildly off target that Craig instinctively headed it to stop it flying into the neighbouring court. Common sense says the point was over – the ball was clearly sailing out unless a hurricane suddenly swept through Ladywood! However, the opponents argued the point should go to them because the ball hadn’t crossed the end line and was therefore still “live”. Really? Penicuik’s view was that once the ball is obviously out, the rally is done – but they weren’t 100% sure. The opponents were adamant that until it passes the end line, it’s in play.
The rules offer some guidance:
A player obstructs the ball if they, or anything they wear or carry, touches it in play when it is above or travelling towards the playing surface, not having touched their court since last being struck by their opponent - a point is scored if a player obstructs the ball.
And another key rule:
Unless the rally is a let, a player shall score a point if the ball passes over their court or beyond their end line without touching their court, after being struck by an opponent. So, was Craig guilty of obstruction? Or was this just common sense versus technicality? Answers on a postcard… Meantime, Craig’s heading skills might earn him a football contract with his beloved Hibs, but in table tennis, maybe just use your bat, Craig!
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