A terrific night was enjoyed at the Club on Wednesday 21st December with 24 entries for our Pre-Xmas Event. The first controversy of the event occurred when Tournament organiser, Craig, allegedly undertook a fair and independently adjudicated draw which resulted in the top half being loaded with Premier or 1st Division players. Some may have thought the draw was rigged but surely the ballot doubles would prove those doubters wrong - hang on a minute who did he pull out the hat to play with in the doubles - none other than Team 1’s Abby!! The look on his face when Abby pulled out at the last minute was a picture!
So on to the Singles action - Round 1 was played in 8 groups of 3. Group A saw the welcome return of Iain Johnstone to the Club - he was pitted against one of our newest members and a bit of a dark horse for the event Ian Hislop - he’s played hardbat tactics for the last 40 years hasn’t he? Both defeated George and in the fight for 1st place Ian H comfortably came out on top.
Group B’s winner was Greig with wins over Charlie and Phil. Group C saw Chris Markey defeat Sean and Louis McLeod whilst Group D saw David advance to the last 8.
In the bottom half of the draw, Group E saw two of the closest matches in the Group stage - Sonny defeated Hannah 21-19 before Hannah then lost 21-23 to Louis Myatt. Sonny went on to comfortably win the group by defeating Louis. Group F saw Mr Scrabble Man, Krzysztof, proceed whilst lo and behold Group G threw up a huge surprise as Craig (there’s no way the draw was rigged) advanced. Julian took out Clive and Rachel in Group H to take up the final last 8 slot.
Quarter Final 1 saw Ian H lose out to Greig in an entertaining match whilst also booking his semi-final slot was David with a good win over Chris. Sonny fell to Krzysztof and Craig’s attempts to reach the semi final was spoiled by Julian.
The first semi-final was a very one-sided affair as Greig defeated teammate David who wasn’t able to come to terms with Greig’s “I’ll do nothing” style! Those forehand loops don’t work for you with your normal bat David never mind with a hardbat!! The second semi was a closer affair but saw Julian triumph to reach the final.
The highlight of the night for most was the news that Dominoes Pizza had just opened a store in Penicuik and Craig redeemed himself for his dodgy draw by ensuring that a pile of Pizzas arrived half way through the evening!
So on to the Singles action - Round 1 was played in 8 groups of 3. Group A saw the welcome return of Iain Johnstone to the Club - he was pitted against one of our newest members and a bit of a dark horse for the event Ian Hislop - he’s played hardbat tactics for the last 40 years hasn’t he? Both defeated George and in the fight for 1st place Ian H comfortably came out on top.
Group B’s winner was Greig with wins over Charlie and Phil. Group C saw Chris Markey defeat Sean and Louis McLeod whilst Group D saw David advance to the last 8.
In the bottom half of the draw, Group E saw two of the closest matches in the Group stage - Sonny defeated Hannah 21-19 before Hannah then lost 21-23 to Louis Myatt. Sonny went on to comfortably win the group by defeating Louis. Group F saw Mr Scrabble Man, Krzysztof, proceed whilst lo and behold Group G threw up a huge surprise as Craig (there’s no way the draw was rigged) advanced. Julian took out Clive and Rachel in Group H to take up the final last 8 slot.
Quarter Final 1 saw Ian H lose out to Greig in an entertaining match whilst also booking his semi-final slot was David with a good win over Chris. Sonny fell to Krzysztof and Craig’s attempts to reach the semi final was spoiled by Julian.
The first semi-final was a very one-sided affair as Greig defeated teammate David who wasn’t able to come to terms with Greig’s “I’ll do nothing” style! Those forehand loops don’t work for you with your normal bat David never mind with a hardbat!! The second semi was a closer affair but saw Julian triumph to reach the final.
The highlight of the night for most was the news that Dominoes Pizza had just opened a store in Penicuik and Craig redeemed himself for his dodgy draw by ensuring that a pile of Pizzas arrived half way through the evening!
In the consolation singles, the seconds and thirds from the Group stage battled it out with the surprise result of the night being Phil’s defeat of Charlie - Charlie had been well on top in the Group stage but the tables were turned as Phil reached the final where he took on Clive. In an entertaining match Phil had a number of match points and there were 7 deuces before Clive eventually secured victory much to Phil's disgust.
In the ballot doubles there were 4 groups of 3 in stage 1, with the pairing of Clive & Brian starting the night as odds on favourites to win the event. Oh how wrong the bookies were. From 1-0 up against Hannah & Krzysztof, their night took a turn for the worse as the underdogs came back to win the next two ends. They then somehow managed to lose 13-11 in the decider against Greig & George who went on to defeat Hannah & Krzysztof. The match of the group stages though came in Group A between Sonny & Ian H and David & Craig L. The first end went to David & Craig 18-16 before Sonny & Ian won the next 13-11. The decider looked like it was going the way of Ian & Sonny but a fantastic comeback saw David & Craig advance with an 11-9 win. John & Iain J squeezed through in Group C whilst Julian & Louis McLeod advanced with an 11-8 deciding set win over Charlie & Kristian.
The semi finals saw Greig & George take on Julian & Louis whilst David & Craig faced off against John & Iain. Both matches went the distance but it was Julian & Louis and David & Craig who were to face each other in the final.
That final was a fantastic match - very festive with David playing in his santa hat. It went all the way to deuce in the deciding set when both sides had match points, David & Craig missing a great opportunity at 14-13 up as what looked like a forehand winner went long. Louis played some terrific shots throughout the final and it was fitting that it was one of his stylish backhands which won the match 16-14. Well done to Louis & Julian and to David & Craig for putting on such a great game.
The semi finals saw Greig & George take on Julian & Louis whilst David & Craig faced off against John & Iain. Both matches went the distance but it was Julian & Louis and David & Craig who were to face each other in the final.
That final was a fantastic match - very festive with David playing in his santa hat. It went all the way to deuce in the deciding set when both sides had match points, David & Craig missing a great opportunity at 14-13 up as what looked like a forehand winner went long. Louis played some terrific shots throughout the final and it was fitting that it was one of his stylish backhands which won the match 16-14. Well done to Louis & Julian and to David & Craig for putting on such a great game.
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And so to the singles final - one end to 15. Julian straight from his doubles victory against Greig who had managed to fit in another 6 slices of Pizza whilst watching the doubles final! It was a foregone conclusion wasn’t it? Greig was going to stroll through this match as he had in the previous rounds - hang on 5-0 and 6-1 down and the crowd could see the colour start to drain out of El Presidente’s face. He was in trouble - having tried to play an attacking style having watched Rumgay the previous weekend, he had to revert to his “I’ll do nothing but keep the ball in play attitude” as he clawed his way back into the match. One rally went on for what seemed like an hour before eventually, Julian’s resolve was broken and Greig’s consistency proved too much as he squeezed over the winning line 15-12.
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A really enjoyable night came to an end just before 10pm with the medal presentation. Greig retained his singles title, Julian showed he’s very capable with a hardbat reaching both finals and winning the doubles with Louis whilst Clive came through a terrific final to win the Consolation Event.
Thanks to all who took part, to Krzysztof for some fantastic photos (available on our FB page), to Craig for his organisation (of the Pizzas not the draw!) and to Tom and Greig for their work at the top table.
Thanks to all who took part, to Krzysztof for some fantastic photos (available on our FB page), to Craig for his organisation (of the Pizzas not the draw!) and to Tom and Greig for their work at the top table.
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