Week 18 of the Edinburgh & Lothians Table Tennis League saw three of Penicuik's five teams in action.
The week started off with Penicuik 4’s visit to North Merchiston 3. After a 10-0 scoreline the previous week, Krzysztof Laszkiewicz, Gavin Hunter and John Bald were hopeful of putting some pressure on the teams above them in the division with another win against opponents they had defeated 6-4 in the first half of the season. After two wins from Gavin and a win each from John and Krzysztof in the first five matches of the night it looked good for the visitors as they held a 4-1 lead. From there however, only Gavin could win again (3 wins out of 3 for him) as North Merchiston came back to claim a 5-5 draw. A disappointing night for the Penicuik side who remain in third place in the division on the same points as 2nd placed West Lothian but having played a game more.
In the Premier Division, the 1st Team of Greig McDonell, Colin Green and Iain Johnstone were looking to continue their winning ways after a good victory against Edinburgh University 1 as they hosted Edinburgh International 1. The home side, having lost 7-3 in the reverse fixture in October, knew they were in for a tough match. When Iain narrowly lost the first match of the night and Colin then surprisingly lost match 2, the good start which had been hoped for didn't come to fruition. Greig pulled one back in match 3 but further losses for Colin and Iain left the home side in trouble at 4-1 down at the halfway point in the evening. Another win for Greig and a crucial doubles win for Greig and Colin brought Penicuik back into the contest and after Colin won his last match, it was left to Iain to win the final match of the night to secure a 5-5 draw, a result which at 4-1 down the home side would gladly have taken.
In Division 2, Clive Liddiard, Brian Bailey and Tony Brentnall were looking to put more pressure on division leaders Penicuik 3 after their slip up the previous week as they hosted Meadowbank. They too had a shocking start as after 5 matches the visitors held a 4-1 advantage. The 2nd Team rallied brilliantly however and went one better than the 1st Team as they won the final 5 matches of the night for a terrific 6-4 comeback victory. Clive and Tony both won 2 whilst Brian won 1 and combined with Clive for the all important doubles win. The victory sees the gap at the top of the Division, which only a few weeks ago was 5 points, down to 2 and there seems to be a renewed confidence amongst the 2nd Team that their club mates can be overtaken in their battle for top spot. Both teams are in action next week with Penicuik 2 facing what looks like the tougher match as they travel to play 3rd placed Edinburgh International. That having been said Penicuik 3 host an improving Murrayfield 7 side, who, although 10 points behind the Division leaders, are fresh from a resounding 8-2 victory against third placed Edinburgh International.
The week started off with Penicuik 4’s visit to North Merchiston 3. After a 10-0 scoreline the previous week, Krzysztof Laszkiewicz, Gavin Hunter and John Bald were hopeful of putting some pressure on the teams above them in the division with another win against opponents they had defeated 6-4 in the first half of the season. After two wins from Gavin and a win each from John and Krzysztof in the first five matches of the night it looked good for the visitors as they held a 4-1 lead. From there however, only Gavin could win again (3 wins out of 3 for him) as North Merchiston came back to claim a 5-5 draw. A disappointing night for the Penicuik side who remain in third place in the division on the same points as 2nd placed West Lothian but having played a game more.
In the Premier Division, the 1st Team of Greig McDonell, Colin Green and Iain Johnstone were looking to continue their winning ways after a good victory against Edinburgh University 1 as they hosted Edinburgh International 1. The home side, having lost 7-3 in the reverse fixture in October, knew they were in for a tough match. When Iain narrowly lost the first match of the night and Colin then surprisingly lost match 2, the good start which had been hoped for didn't come to fruition. Greig pulled one back in match 3 but further losses for Colin and Iain left the home side in trouble at 4-1 down at the halfway point in the evening. Another win for Greig and a crucial doubles win for Greig and Colin brought Penicuik back into the contest and after Colin won his last match, it was left to Iain to win the final match of the night to secure a 5-5 draw, a result which at 4-1 down the home side would gladly have taken.
In Division 2, Clive Liddiard, Brian Bailey and Tony Brentnall were looking to put more pressure on division leaders Penicuik 3 after their slip up the previous week as they hosted Meadowbank. They too had a shocking start as after 5 matches the visitors held a 4-1 advantage. The 2nd Team rallied brilliantly however and went one better than the 1st Team as they won the final 5 matches of the night for a terrific 6-4 comeback victory. Clive and Tony both won 2 whilst Brian won 1 and combined with Clive for the all important doubles win. The victory sees the gap at the top of the Division, which only a few weeks ago was 5 points, down to 2 and there seems to be a renewed confidence amongst the 2nd Team that their club mates can be overtaken in their battle for top spot. Both teams are in action next week with Penicuik 2 facing what looks like the tougher match as they travel to play 3rd placed Edinburgh International. That having been said Penicuik 3 host an improving Murrayfield 7 side, who, although 10 points behind the Division leaders, are fresh from a resounding 8-2 victory against third placed Edinburgh International.
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