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Week 2 of the 2015/16 Edinburgh & Lothians Table Tennis League was a busy one for the Club with all of our eight teams in action. It also marked the first "Derby match" of the season as Teams 2 and 3 renewed their rivalry from last season.
Team 3, strengthened by the addition of Iain Johnstone, were however weakened by the absence of Clive Liddiard as the first controversy of the season took place when it was decided that the Club's schedule was such that an intra club postponement could not be consented to - wow if that's what we're like with our Clubmates I don't fancy the chances of any other Clubs seeking a postponement!!! Anyway on to the action and Chris Markey stepped up from Team 4 to deputise for the absent Clive to join Brian Bailey and Iain as they faced James Wighton, Gary McDougal and Abby Wighton. Game 1 of the night saw Iain take on James in a match that went the distance - Iain held on for an 11-7 win in the fifth. Gary then levelled the score by beating Brian in 4. With thoughts that Iain’s experience of playing at a higher level would prove a key factor, match 3 took on added significance as Chris faced Abby - Abby found the going tough against Chris' style as he won in 4 ends and the 3rd Team at that point looked favourites. Iain duly won his 3 singles and combined for a win in the doubles with Brian but with two wins each from James and Gary the crucial match of the night turned out to be Abby’s game against Brian who started as clear favourite having defeated Abby on the two occasions they had met last season. Abby, however, had other ideas as she stormed to a 3-0 win. And so honours even between the teams in a 5-5 draw - a fair result in the end??
After an encouraging win in Week 1, Team 1 actually thought they could give reigning Premier champions, Murrayfield 1, a run for their money in Week 2. Greig decided not to protect his 100% average and turned up to play - oh what a mistake that was!! Only Colin managed to get on the scoresheet as Team 1 slumped to an extremely disappointing 9-1 defeat - and to make matters worse, having started the match on time it didn't finish until after 11 pm - a miserable night and home for all after midnight!!
In Division 2, Team 4 had started the season with an impressive 8-2 home victory and they were looking to build on that form in their away fixture to Fife 2. The match marked Chris Markey’s debut for the Club as he joined forces with Tony Brentnall and Gavin Hunter - and what a debut it was as Chris won all 3 of his singles matches and combined with Tony for a win in the doubles. Unfortunately for the visitors, Tony and Gavin did not find their form from the previous week as only Tony managed a singles victory in the resultant 5-5 draw. For his performance, however, Chris wins the Player of the Week award and hence a picture at the top of this Report (even if it isn't from the right match)!
In Division 3 Team 5 faced their first home match of the season against Fife 3. Gregory Leplatre, Phil Daly and John Bald were looking to build on their opening round win but came unstuck against a strong Fife side. The difference between the Clubs on the night came down to three matches which went the distance. Phil lost match 4 9-11 in the fifth, John lost match 5 8-11 in the fifth and Greg lost match 9 9-11 in the fifth as the home side fell to a narrow 6-4 defeat.
Team 6 made the trip to North Merchiston 6 in Division 4 having suffered a hefty 8-2 defeat in Week 1. Things got worse for the Club’s youngsters, Luke Hennessey, Louis Myatt and Louis McLeod as they fell to a 9-1 defeat. Louis McLeod was the only winner on the night for the visitors.
There was better news in Division 4 for Team 7 in their match against North Merchiston 5. In a match which swung one way and then the other, Craig Johnson, making his league debut, and Stuart Bennett both won 2 whilst Millie Bennett won 1 as the home side gained their first point of the season with a 5-5 draw.
Finally, in a busy week for the Club, Team 8 made their first appearance of the season as they faced Fife 4. Who let Fife into the League anyway - 3 matches against them this week and only 1 point out of a possible 6. Rachel Petrie, Kathryn McKenzie and Lewis Baldock will definitely not be looking forward to the reverse away fixture as they suffered a 10-0 whitewash defeat. On a positive note, Rachel was particularly unlucky losing two matches in the deciding fifth end and looking on the bright side surely things can only get better for Team 8 in future weeks!
Team 3, strengthened by the addition of Iain Johnstone, were however weakened by the absence of Clive Liddiard as the first controversy of the season took place when it was decided that the Club's schedule was such that an intra club postponement could not be consented to - wow if that's what we're like with our Clubmates I don't fancy the chances of any other Clubs seeking a postponement!!! Anyway on to the action and Chris Markey stepped up from Team 4 to deputise for the absent Clive to join Brian Bailey and Iain as they faced James Wighton, Gary McDougal and Abby Wighton. Game 1 of the night saw Iain take on James in a match that went the distance - Iain held on for an 11-7 win in the fifth. Gary then levelled the score by beating Brian in 4. With thoughts that Iain’s experience of playing at a higher level would prove a key factor, match 3 took on added significance as Chris faced Abby - Abby found the going tough against Chris' style as he won in 4 ends and the 3rd Team at that point looked favourites. Iain duly won his 3 singles and combined for a win in the doubles with Brian but with two wins each from James and Gary the crucial match of the night turned out to be Abby’s game against Brian who started as clear favourite having defeated Abby on the two occasions they had met last season. Abby, however, had other ideas as she stormed to a 3-0 win. And so honours even between the teams in a 5-5 draw - a fair result in the end??
After an encouraging win in Week 1, Team 1 actually thought they could give reigning Premier champions, Murrayfield 1, a run for their money in Week 2. Greig decided not to protect his 100% average and turned up to play - oh what a mistake that was!! Only Colin managed to get on the scoresheet as Team 1 slumped to an extremely disappointing 9-1 defeat - and to make matters worse, having started the match on time it didn't finish until after 11 pm - a miserable night and home for all after midnight!!
In Division 2, Team 4 had started the season with an impressive 8-2 home victory and they were looking to build on that form in their away fixture to Fife 2. The match marked Chris Markey’s debut for the Club as he joined forces with Tony Brentnall and Gavin Hunter - and what a debut it was as Chris won all 3 of his singles matches and combined with Tony for a win in the doubles. Unfortunately for the visitors, Tony and Gavin did not find their form from the previous week as only Tony managed a singles victory in the resultant 5-5 draw. For his performance, however, Chris wins the Player of the Week award and hence a picture at the top of this Report (even if it isn't from the right match)!
In Division 3 Team 5 faced their first home match of the season against Fife 3. Gregory Leplatre, Phil Daly and John Bald were looking to build on their opening round win but came unstuck against a strong Fife side. The difference between the Clubs on the night came down to three matches which went the distance. Phil lost match 4 9-11 in the fifth, John lost match 5 8-11 in the fifth and Greg lost match 9 9-11 in the fifth as the home side fell to a narrow 6-4 defeat.
Team 6 made the trip to North Merchiston 6 in Division 4 having suffered a hefty 8-2 defeat in Week 1. Things got worse for the Club’s youngsters, Luke Hennessey, Louis Myatt and Louis McLeod as they fell to a 9-1 defeat. Louis McLeod was the only winner on the night for the visitors.
There was better news in Division 4 for Team 7 in their match against North Merchiston 5. In a match which swung one way and then the other, Craig Johnson, making his league debut, and Stuart Bennett both won 2 whilst Millie Bennett won 1 as the home side gained their first point of the season with a 5-5 draw.
Finally, in a busy week for the Club, Team 8 made their first appearance of the season as they faced Fife 4. Who let Fife into the League anyway - 3 matches against them this week and only 1 point out of a possible 6. Rachel Petrie, Kathryn McKenzie and Lewis Baldock will definitely not be looking forward to the reverse away fixture as they suffered a 10-0 whitewash defeat. On a positive note, Rachel was particularly unlucky losing two matches in the deciding fifth end and looking on the bright side surely things can only get better for Team 8 in future weeks!
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