The Edinburgh & Lothians Table Tennis League reached it’s final round of regular scheduled fixtures last week with all attention on the Division Two Title Decider between Penicuik’s 2nd and 3rd Teams. James Wighton, Gary Mcdougall and Abby Wighton of Penicuik 3 were two points clear of Clive Liddiard, Brian Bailey and Tony Brentnall and knew that they needed at least a draw to finish at the top of the division. However, with a better game difference, Penicuik 2 knew that a win would give them the Title. The scene was set for what would turn out to be an extremely tense and exciting end to the regular season.
Abby gave the 3rd time the perfect start by defeating Tony 3-1 before Clive pulled the scores level by defeating James. The 3rd Team then retook the lead when Gary defeated Brian only for the match to be levelled again when Clive defeated Abby in 4 ends. There then seemed to be swing in favour of the Division leaders as Gary and James both won their next matches by a 3-0 scoreline putting Penicuik 3 on the verge of the Division 2 title. James and Gary then combined in the doubles with the first chance to achieve the all important fifth win of the night but Clive and Brian had other ideas coming back from an end down to win a tight match 3-2 and to cut the match score deficit to 4-3. Brian then kept the match alive with a 3-0 win over Abby as the tension levels increased further. The key match of the night turned out to be the encounter between Gary and Clive. At two ends to one down, Clive faced 2 match points in end 4 but managed to survive those as he won 13-11 thus forcing a fifth end decider. The match swung one way then another but Gary held his nerve to win the deciding end by the narrowest of margins 11-9 thus securing the vital point which guaranteed the 3rd Team the division 2 Championship. Tony never gave up fighting in the final game of the night as he defeated James 15 points to 13 in the final end to prove how closely matched the two teams were on the night and indeed how closely matched they have been all season.
Abby gave the 3rd time the perfect start by defeating Tony 3-1 before Clive pulled the scores level by defeating James. The 3rd Team then retook the lead when Gary defeated Brian only for the match to be levelled again when Clive defeated Abby in 4 ends. There then seemed to be swing in favour of the Division leaders as Gary and James both won their next matches by a 3-0 scoreline putting Penicuik 3 on the verge of the Division 2 title. James and Gary then combined in the doubles with the first chance to achieve the all important fifth win of the night but Clive and Brian had other ideas coming back from an end down to win a tight match 3-2 and to cut the match score deficit to 4-3. Brian then kept the match alive with a 3-0 win over Abby as the tension levels increased further. The key match of the night turned out to be the encounter between Gary and Clive. At two ends to one down, Clive faced 2 match points in end 4 but managed to survive those as he won 13-11 thus forcing a fifth end decider. The match swung one way then another but Gary held his nerve to win the deciding end by the narrowest of margins 11-9 thus securing the vital point which guaranteed the 3rd Team the division 2 Championship. Tony never gave up fighting in the final game of the night as he defeated James 15 points to 13 in the final end to prove how closely matched the two teams were on the night and indeed how closely matched they have been all season.
In the end, had a couple of points gone a different way Team 2 would have claimed the Division 2 Title. A terrific result for James, Gary and Abby who finished the season with only 1 loss in 18 matches and well deserved the title and automatic promotion to Division 1 for next season. Penicuik’s 2nd Team now face a play off against the second bottom team from Division 1 and remain hopeful of joining their Clubmates and renewing their rivalry in Division 1 next year.
Away from the excitement of Division 2, in the Premier Division it was an excellent week for Penicuik’s first Team of Greig McDonell, Colin Green and Iain Johnstone as they first defeated West Lothian 2 by 8 games to 2 before recording the same result against Edinburgh International 2 later in the week. Greig and Colin each won their 6 singles matches played and combined for two doubles wins whilst Iain added one win in each match. A great end to the season for the 1st Team who finished a creditable 6th place in the Premier League.
In Division 3, Penicuik’s 4th Team also had a good week recording a 6-4 victory against Corstorphine. Krzysztof Laszkiewicz was the star of the night for Team 4 as he won all three of his singles matches and combined for a win in the doubles with John Bald. John won 1 singles match and Team Captain Phil Daly added the final win for the Ladywood side who still have two postponed matches outstanding to finish their campaign.
In Division 4, Penicuik 5 finished their season with two matches last week as they first travelled to take on Edinburgh International 8. Gregory Leplatre and Luke Hennessey both won their three singles in an excellent 6-4 win for the visitors. Lewis Baldock was unlucky not to pick up a win. Then later in the week the side hosted Fife 3. Only Luke survived from the earlier fixture as he was joined by Rachel Petrie and Louis Myatt. The first two matches which were extremely tight affairs set the tone for the night as first Rachel then Louis both lost in deciding ends. The Fife Club never looked back from that point as they ran out 7-3 victors. Luke continued his excellent week by winning 2 singles whilst Louis won 1.
Away from the excitement of Division 2, in the Premier Division it was an excellent week for Penicuik’s first Team of Greig McDonell, Colin Green and Iain Johnstone as they first defeated West Lothian 2 by 8 games to 2 before recording the same result against Edinburgh International 2 later in the week. Greig and Colin each won their 6 singles matches played and combined for two doubles wins whilst Iain added one win in each match. A great end to the season for the 1st Team who finished a creditable 6th place in the Premier League.
In Division 3, Penicuik’s 4th Team also had a good week recording a 6-4 victory against Corstorphine. Krzysztof Laszkiewicz was the star of the night for Team 4 as he won all three of his singles matches and combined for a win in the doubles with John Bald. John won 1 singles match and Team Captain Phil Daly added the final win for the Ladywood side who still have two postponed matches outstanding to finish their campaign.
In Division 4, Penicuik 5 finished their season with two matches last week as they first travelled to take on Edinburgh International 8. Gregory Leplatre and Luke Hennessey both won their three singles in an excellent 6-4 win for the visitors. Lewis Baldock was unlucky not to pick up a win. Then later in the week the side hosted Fife 3. Only Luke survived from the earlier fixture as he was joined by Rachel Petrie and Louis Myatt. The first two matches which were extremely tight affairs set the tone for the night as first Rachel then Louis both lost in deciding ends. The Fife Club never looked back from that point as they ran out 7-3 victors. Luke continued his excellent week by winning 2 singles whilst Louis won 1.
RSS Feed
