All five of Penicuik's teams were in action last week and after two consecutive defeats in the Premier Division, Penicuik's 1st team saw Team Captain, Greig McDonell return to action to join Colin Green and Iain Johnstone as they faced an important visit to take on Edinburgh University 1. When both Greig and Iain lost their opening encounters it looked bleak for the Penicuik side, even bleaker as Colin was struggling in match 3 while simaltaneously Iain was facing Octavio Tolentino who had defeated Greig in his first match of the night. As Colin started to turn his match around, Iain, clearly the underdog, produced some great table tennis to stun the university's best player on the night as he won in 4 ends. The 1st Team didn't look back after that match losing only one more game in their 7-3 victory. The win eases any stress which may have been felt had University picked up the points as the 1st Team jump into sixth place in the Division and more importantly well clear of the relegation zone.
In Division 2, Penicuik 2 travelled to Bathgate to take on West Lothian 5. Sitting 5 points behind Penicuik 3 at the top of the division, Clive Liddiard, Brian Bailey and Tony Brentnall knew that they couldn't afford any slip ups if they wished to remain in contention for the Division 2 title. The Penicuik trio were never in trouble as all three players won two of their 3 singles matches and with a win in the doubles they recorded a comfortable 7-3 victory.
On the same night, Penicuik 3 hosted West Lothian 6 at Ladywood. Having defeated their opponents at Bathgate in the reverse fixture by 7 games to 3 the match, on paper, looked like being another comfortable encounter for the Division leaders. West Lothian had other ideas however as their top two players won 5 of their 6 matches on the night. A crucial doubles win for James Wighton and Gary Mcdougall together with a singles win for each of the home team meant that going into the final match of the night Penicuik trailed 5-4. It was left to Team captain James Wighton to salvage a draw by winning that last match and a valuable point was earned for the home side. The dropped point gives Penicuik 2 hope as they now sit 4 points behind the 3rd Team but with a game in hand. The Division 2 title looks like it might not be settled for some time yet. Are the 3rd Team beginning to feel some pressure??
In Division 3 Penicuik 4 have had their squad strengthened with the inclusion of John Bald. He was selected immediately to play Edinburgh University along with Phil Daly and Krzysztof Laszkiewicz. Chomping at the bit John didn't get to prove what an asset he would be as University conceded the match. The resulting 10-0 scoreline gives a huge boost to the team's game difference and puts the 4th team into a 3 way tie for second place in the Division with all to play for in the remaining 7 matches of the season.
Finally, in Division 4, Penicuik 5 travelled to face Fife 4 in Inverkeithing. Penicuik's youngsters of Luke Hennessey, Louis McLeod and Lewis Baldock are all playing their first season of competitive table tennis and with a combined age of 34 there is plenty time for the team to develop and improve. The youngsters put up a spirited performance against their far more experienced opponents as Luke won two of his three singles matches and Louis won 1 in their 7-3 defeat.
In Division 2, Penicuik 2 travelled to Bathgate to take on West Lothian 5. Sitting 5 points behind Penicuik 3 at the top of the division, Clive Liddiard, Brian Bailey and Tony Brentnall knew that they couldn't afford any slip ups if they wished to remain in contention for the Division 2 title. The Penicuik trio were never in trouble as all three players won two of their 3 singles matches and with a win in the doubles they recorded a comfortable 7-3 victory.
On the same night, Penicuik 3 hosted West Lothian 6 at Ladywood. Having defeated their opponents at Bathgate in the reverse fixture by 7 games to 3 the match, on paper, looked like being another comfortable encounter for the Division leaders. West Lothian had other ideas however as their top two players won 5 of their 6 matches on the night. A crucial doubles win for James Wighton and Gary Mcdougall together with a singles win for each of the home team meant that going into the final match of the night Penicuik trailed 5-4. It was left to Team captain James Wighton to salvage a draw by winning that last match and a valuable point was earned for the home side. The dropped point gives Penicuik 2 hope as they now sit 4 points behind the 3rd Team but with a game in hand. The Division 2 title looks like it might not be settled for some time yet. Are the 3rd Team beginning to feel some pressure??
In Division 3 Penicuik 4 have had their squad strengthened with the inclusion of John Bald. He was selected immediately to play Edinburgh University along with Phil Daly and Krzysztof Laszkiewicz. Chomping at the bit John didn't get to prove what an asset he would be as University conceded the match. The resulting 10-0 scoreline gives a huge boost to the team's game difference and puts the 4th team into a 3 way tie for second place in the Division with all to play for in the remaining 7 matches of the season.
Finally, in Division 4, Penicuik 5 travelled to face Fife 4 in Inverkeithing. Penicuik's youngsters of Luke Hennessey, Louis McLeod and Lewis Baldock are all playing their first season of competitive table tennis and with a combined age of 34 there is plenty time for the team to develop and improve. The youngsters put up a spirited performance against their far more experienced opponents as Luke won two of his three singles matches and Louis won 1 in their 7-3 defeat.
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