And so the last regular week of the 2024/25 ELTTL Season has come and gone – how on earth did that happen? With Team 2 having finished their season in Week 25, our remaining four teams were in action to bring their season to a close.
Edinburgh International 3 v Team 4 – Division 3
Line-Up: Rachel Petrie, Chamika Diyunugalge and Patrick Shanks
Wednesday evening, 26th March, saw Team 4 travel to Gillespie’s High School for the final match of their Division 3 season. Chamika has ended the season brilliantly but lost out in Match 1 of the evening. Rachel then won a vital five ender and Patrick gave the visitors their first lead of the night by winning match 3. It got better for the Penicuik trio as Chamika and Patrick then won matches 4 and 5 to stretch the lead to 4-1. The hosts pulled one back and then the doubles also went their way and the match was in the balance again. Patrick secured a point before the match of the night saw Chamika take on Ken Benjamin in Match 9 – after four tight ends, the decider was a cagey affair but it was Chamika who held his nerve for an 11-8 win and with that both points were secured. A terrific 6-4 win to end the season for Team 4 who finished comfortably in a mid-table position.
Team 1 v West Lothian 1 – Premier Division
Line-Up: Colin Green, Peter Aird and Ryan Docherty
Team 1 have had a remarkable season – at the halfway point, there were real concerns about whether they would be dragged into a relegation battle. The second half of the season, however, has seen them storm up the table for an equal third place finish – a terrific achievement and the team have certainly been boosted by the addition of Ryan since just prior to Xmas. They finished with a match against second placed West Lothian 1 and the result looked like it could go either way as matches 5 and 6 were in play. Ryan managed to squeeze home in a terrific match 15-13 in the fifth whilst Colin looked in control 2-0 up against former teammate, David Simpson – David showed his battling qualities as he came back to win in five – 2-4 as opposed to 3-3 and when the doubles was lost the match was effectively over. Colin won the last match of the season in another excellent five ender but the hosts lost out 7-3.
Team 3 v West Lothian 3 – Division 2
Line-Up: Craig Linton, Kristian Skotzen and Charlie Brindley
Team 3 were looking to finish within a point of their opponents in 3rd place in the Division and when they stormed into a 4-1 lead it was looking good for the hosts – match 6 saw Charlie take on Andrew Morrison, top of the individual averages (well apart from Hannah - she keeps reminding us that she’s finished the season with 100%). Charlie looked in control at 2-0 up but Andrew eventually worked out the anti-spin and came back for a five end victory. When the visitors then won the doubles, the match was back in the balance. Craig secured a point with his second win of the night before Charlie took on Keith – at 2-0 down (5-11, 5-11), Charlie looked as if he was still thinking about his earlier loss – this time he turned the match on its head winning the next two ends comfortably but despite the momentum being with him, it was Keith who got over the line. When Kristian fell in Match 10, the spoils were shared, 5-5.
Team 5 v West Lothian 6 – Division 4
Line-Up: Jay Jayalath, Mat Dyluk and John Bald
Team 5 started the season with much trepidation, but comfortably secured safety a number of weeks ago. Jay has had an excellent first season with the Club. This proved to be another terrific night for him – three more singles wins take Jay to an impressive equal 4th place finish in the Division 4 averages. On the night the West Lothian players were a little too strong for Jay’s teammates as the hosts fell to a 7-3 loss.
Player of the Week
Only two players were undefeated in singles play this week – Jay for Team 5 and Patrick for Team 4. Ryan played some terrific stuff for two cracking wins for Team 1 and Chamika had a couple of important wins to contribute to the victory for Team 4. Neither Jay nor Patrick won the doubles they took part in, but because of the importance of his three wins to the overall victory for his team, this week’s winner is Patrick – well done to him.
Controversy of the Week
We can’t really end the regular season with a controversy can we? Let’s do a potential controversy instead!! There’s a real dogfight at the bottom of the Premier Division for survival. A few weeks ago it looked like a straight battle between Murrayfield 3 and Edinburgh University for the second relegation spot. But recent results have resulted in Haddington dropping like a stone into trouble. Edinburgh International’s role in the relegation battle could prove pivotal and controversial. If Haddington do go down, they’ll certainly not be sending any Xmas cards to Ed Int 1’s team captain who sits 4th in the Individual averages – he dropped himself for their match against Murrayfield 3 and the result was a surprising 6-4 win for Murrayfield side. We have got to assume that had he played, a win would have followed for his team. Those two points could be crucial – Haddington play Ed Int in Week 27 and if he turns up against them, you could understand why our East Lothian friends might be miffed! That said, Haddington may only have themselves to blame for their predicament. As we have previously reported, the rules say any team (other than University) are only allowed to reschedule two matches - in a season of 20 matches they have rescheduled 9 matches and have conceded 1. Maybe their stop / start season is catching up on them after all.
On a slightly more amusing note, a look back to the Vets Nationals last weekend – our Club President was in action in the quarter finals of the Over 50s against his old foe Keith Dingwall from Murrayfield. The umpire was none other than our old teammate and President of the Vets Association, David Simpson. Greig v Keith is normally not a great match to umpire! It normally goes the distance and he who opens up first with an attacking shot generally loses! Picture the scene then in the second end when the scores were tied at 8-8. A terrific seventh push in a row from Greig was returned by an eighth push in a row by Keith – and Keith thought his shot was sailing long so squealed out whilst the ball was in mid-air – it landed on the edge of the table, Greig returned the ball, Keith played the next shot and Greig just stopped playing. He looked at Umpire David who quizzically looked back at him. What? You can squeal out mid rally, putting your opponent off and that’s ok? Play a let says the umpire. Greig tries to claim the point having watched many a tennis match where “hindrance” has been called! Not sure that exists in table tennis but sounds like it should. Keith knows he can’t get involved and has to stay silent or he’ll lose his focus and concentration. Play a let repeats the umpire – the rest is history! Still apparently irritated after the match Greig points out that shouting out midpoint should have absolutely resulted in the point going his way and tells both Keith and David that once he relays the story to our Press Officer, they’ll both be starring in this report. So here we are! Of course the rule is very clear that if a player does something that impacts the opponent, then the point is awarded against them – IN TENNIS. In table tennis on the other hand…… Anyway we’ll leave it there. Who needs to know what the law is!
It’s been a positive season for the club – A divisional title for Team 2, terrific 3rd place finishes for Teams 1 and 3 and Teams 4 and 5 have surpassed their expectations with comfortable survivals in their respective divisions. And we’ve got a Quarter final in the Handicap Cup to come in Week 27 – nothing controversial about why that’s being played so late in the season!!!
Edinburgh International 3 v Team 4 – Division 3
Line-Up: Rachel Petrie, Chamika Diyunugalge and Patrick Shanks
Wednesday evening, 26th March, saw Team 4 travel to Gillespie’s High School for the final match of their Division 3 season. Chamika has ended the season brilliantly but lost out in Match 1 of the evening. Rachel then won a vital five ender and Patrick gave the visitors their first lead of the night by winning match 3. It got better for the Penicuik trio as Chamika and Patrick then won matches 4 and 5 to stretch the lead to 4-1. The hosts pulled one back and then the doubles also went their way and the match was in the balance again. Patrick secured a point before the match of the night saw Chamika take on Ken Benjamin in Match 9 – after four tight ends, the decider was a cagey affair but it was Chamika who held his nerve for an 11-8 win and with that both points were secured. A terrific 6-4 win to end the season for Team 4 who finished comfortably in a mid-table position.
Team 1 v West Lothian 1 – Premier Division
Line-Up: Colin Green, Peter Aird and Ryan Docherty
Team 1 have had a remarkable season – at the halfway point, there were real concerns about whether they would be dragged into a relegation battle. The second half of the season, however, has seen them storm up the table for an equal third place finish – a terrific achievement and the team have certainly been boosted by the addition of Ryan since just prior to Xmas. They finished with a match against second placed West Lothian 1 and the result looked like it could go either way as matches 5 and 6 were in play. Ryan managed to squeeze home in a terrific match 15-13 in the fifth whilst Colin looked in control 2-0 up against former teammate, David Simpson – David showed his battling qualities as he came back to win in five – 2-4 as opposed to 3-3 and when the doubles was lost the match was effectively over. Colin won the last match of the season in another excellent five ender but the hosts lost out 7-3.
Team 3 v West Lothian 3 – Division 2
Line-Up: Craig Linton, Kristian Skotzen and Charlie Brindley
Team 3 were looking to finish within a point of their opponents in 3rd place in the Division and when they stormed into a 4-1 lead it was looking good for the hosts – match 6 saw Charlie take on Andrew Morrison, top of the individual averages (well apart from Hannah - she keeps reminding us that she’s finished the season with 100%). Charlie looked in control at 2-0 up but Andrew eventually worked out the anti-spin and came back for a five end victory. When the visitors then won the doubles, the match was back in the balance. Craig secured a point with his second win of the night before Charlie took on Keith – at 2-0 down (5-11, 5-11), Charlie looked as if he was still thinking about his earlier loss – this time he turned the match on its head winning the next two ends comfortably but despite the momentum being with him, it was Keith who got over the line. When Kristian fell in Match 10, the spoils were shared, 5-5.
Team 5 v West Lothian 6 – Division 4
Line-Up: Jay Jayalath, Mat Dyluk and John Bald
Team 5 started the season with much trepidation, but comfortably secured safety a number of weeks ago. Jay has had an excellent first season with the Club. This proved to be another terrific night for him – three more singles wins take Jay to an impressive equal 4th place finish in the Division 4 averages. On the night the West Lothian players were a little too strong for Jay’s teammates as the hosts fell to a 7-3 loss.
Player of the Week
Only two players were undefeated in singles play this week – Jay for Team 5 and Patrick for Team 4. Ryan played some terrific stuff for two cracking wins for Team 1 and Chamika had a couple of important wins to contribute to the victory for Team 4. Neither Jay nor Patrick won the doubles they took part in, but because of the importance of his three wins to the overall victory for his team, this week’s winner is Patrick – well done to him.
Controversy of the Week
We can’t really end the regular season with a controversy can we? Let’s do a potential controversy instead!! There’s a real dogfight at the bottom of the Premier Division for survival. A few weeks ago it looked like a straight battle between Murrayfield 3 and Edinburgh University for the second relegation spot. But recent results have resulted in Haddington dropping like a stone into trouble. Edinburgh International’s role in the relegation battle could prove pivotal and controversial. If Haddington do go down, they’ll certainly not be sending any Xmas cards to Ed Int 1’s team captain who sits 4th in the Individual averages – he dropped himself for their match against Murrayfield 3 and the result was a surprising 6-4 win for Murrayfield side. We have got to assume that had he played, a win would have followed for his team. Those two points could be crucial – Haddington play Ed Int in Week 27 and if he turns up against them, you could understand why our East Lothian friends might be miffed! That said, Haddington may only have themselves to blame for their predicament. As we have previously reported, the rules say any team (other than University) are only allowed to reschedule two matches - in a season of 20 matches they have rescheduled 9 matches and have conceded 1. Maybe their stop / start season is catching up on them after all.
On a slightly more amusing note, a look back to the Vets Nationals last weekend – our Club President was in action in the quarter finals of the Over 50s against his old foe Keith Dingwall from Murrayfield. The umpire was none other than our old teammate and President of the Vets Association, David Simpson. Greig v Keith is normally not a great match to umpire! It normally goes the distance and he who opens up first with an attacking shot generally loses! Picture the scene then in the second end when the scores were tied at 8-8. A terrific seventh push in a row from Greig was returned by an eighth push in a row by Keith – and Keith thought his shot was sailing long so squealed out whilst the ball was in mid-air – it landed on the edge of the table, Greig returned the ball, Keith played the next shot and Greig just stopped playing. He looked at Umpire David who quizzically looked back at him. What? You can squeal out mid rally, putting your opponent off and that’s ok? Play a let says the umpire. Greig tries to claim the point having watched many a tennis match where “hindrance” has been called! Not sure that exists in table tennis but sounds like it should. Keith knows he can’t get involved and has to stay silent or he’ll lose his focus and concentration. Play a let repeats the umpire – the rest is history! Still apparently irritated after the match Greig points out that shouting out midpoint should have absolutely resulted in the point going his way and tells both Keith and David that once he relays the story to our Press Officer, they’ll both be starring in this report. So here we are! Of course the rule is very clear that if a player does something that impacts the opponent, then the point is awarded against them – IN TENNIS. In table tennis on the other hand…… Anyway we’ll leave it there. Who needs to know what the law is!
It’s been a positive season for the club – A divisional title for Team 2, terrific 3rd place finishes for Teams 1 and 3 and Teams 4 and 5 have surpassed their expectations with comfortable survivals in their respective divisions. And we’ve got a Quarter final in the Handicap Cup to come in Week 27 – nothing controversial about why that’s being played so late in the season!!!
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