Table Tennis: Premier gives A Team chance to test itself against best

Sep 24 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE late finish to the last West Lothian Table Tennis club campaign has meant that it seems little time has passed, but the new season is upon us once again.

And what a season is in prospect for us.

It is remarkable to think it is just six short years since West Lothian entered its first team in the Edinburgh and District League and they finished last season with two teams in Division One and one team in Division Two.

Of the two Division One teams, one has now been promoted to the Premier Division for the first time where it will compete against some of the best players Scotland can muster.

Also, with numbers and standards at the club rising all the time the committee made the brave decision to enter yet another two teams in this league, making five in total. These new teams will compete in Division Three but the club is optimistic that at least one of these teams will be promoted.

Hopes are also high that the second division team can do likewise.

The first fixtures are next week and expectation levels are generally high – although the top team might well need some time to get used to the increased pace and skill levels to be found at the highest level.

This team will be spearheaded by West Lothian champion Lewis Hills and last season’s best performer in Division One, George Flanagan.

Making up the three-man team will be one of Andy MacDougall, Asif Raja or the experienced John McCulloch.

The B team will field Barry Hills and Steve McKay as its mainstays with many other players vying for the third position.

This team finished the campaign in fourth place last season, but with Lewis Hills playing a prominent part.

Hopefully, the others can now pick up the mantle to ensure yet another good finish.

A similar situation exists in the C team, where Kevin Milne and Keith MacKay can call on a pool including George Anderson, Martin Rumsey and Zbigniew Stryzewski.

Last season this team finished mid table but the club now expects better this season and the players are confident of doing so.

The thinking behind the two new teams is to give youth a chance and blood new players to the competition.

The D team will be led by West Lothian favourite Drew McLaren, who will guide and coach youngsters like Kieran Boyle, Daniel Mackay and Duncan Ewing throughout the season.

The E team will consist of a group of senior members new to the league. These include Jim Stewart, John Swift, Ian Wodecki and Graham Chambers. Again, both teams have the quality to do well.

Although the league commences next week, two club members have already been heavily involved in competition at the highest level.

Last weekend Barry Hills and Drew McLaren represented Scotland in the Six Nations Veterans Championships in the Isle of Man.

This event is held every year and teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Guernsey and Isle of Man vie for the honours.

Individual and team events are held in varying age groups from over 40 to over 70.

Regardless of age, competition is fierce, but friendly, and the competitors included former European and World champions among their ranks.

Many, of course, will have met in their younger days and it is not unknown for some to avenge previous defeats incurred in more youthful days.

The team events were played over Friday and Saturday while the individual events took place on the Sunday. A tiring weekend for most, but more so for these sporting veterans.

Barry was part of the Scotland over-60 team which took the silver medal position to England’s gold.

Drew was part of the over-70 team and although his team did not win a medal he returned with head held high and pleased with his performance. Both are now being teased about providing autographed photographs for their fellow members.

Next weekend will see the veterans back in competition when the first of several assessments will be held at Bathgate.

The success of Barry and Drew is expected to encourage new recruits from the West Lothian senior ranks to join them.

The West Lothian League is not due to commence until early October and it looks as though it will again run with two divisions.

The match secretary is just putting the finishing touches to his plans for the new season but, meantime, anyone interested in joining the club should contact Drew McLaren on 01506 655373.

Full details of the club activities can be found at www.tabletennisclub.co.uk