Table Tennis: Drew and Barry continue to show age is no barrier

Oct 8 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ONLY two weeks after representing their country in the Six Nations Veterans Championships in the Isle of Man, West Lothian stalwarts Drew McLaren and Barry Hills took part in the first of the new season’s assessments last weekend.

In a particularly well-supported tournament both players underlined their class and selection by finishing second in the events for their respective age groups.

In the over-60 event, Hills finished in his customary number-two slot losing only to the eventual winner.

McLaren’s event was more closely contested, however, and his silver-medal position was earned only after a countback when the top three players finished with one loss each accounting for his best-ever finish in the event.

Having performed well at the weekend both players then went on to play important parts in their West Lothian teams during the week.

Playing in the Edinburgh League for the B team Hills won two of his three singles games and lost one but only after leading 10-8 in the fifth and deciding set.

Making up the team were Andy MacDougall and Steve McKay, both making their competitive debuts of the season. MacDougall, like Hills, won two games, both from two sets down to underline his fighting qualities. McKay won one game, also in the deciding set, but in an even more pressurised situation when this game was required to earn a 5-5 draw.

An earlier loss by MacDougall and McKay in the doubles accounted for the other reversal.

The West Lothian D team of McLaren and juniors Daniel MacKay and Kieran Boyle repeated their 10-0 win of the previous week with yet another whitewash to go top of Division Three.

Both juniors have been introduced to this league in order to give them greater experience but at the present moment they are looking too good for the competition.

With McLaren unavailable for selection next week a substitute will be required but the team hopes to continue their unbeaten run in his absence.

Unfortunately, the West Lothian A team comprising Lewis Hills, George Flanagan and John McCulloch lost 2-8 to a Murrayfield team in the Premier Division and although the scoreline suggests a very one-sided encounter nine of these games went to four sets and one to the fifth set.

Within the Murrayfield ranks were a member of the Scotland veterans team and two top juniors. Hills won a singles game and combined with Flanagan for the other. This partnership has now won two from two.

There will be enforced changes in West Lothian’s line up for next week’s fixture as both Flanagan and McCulloch are unavailable for selection.

Last Friday, the club hosted a taster for pupils of the West Lothian Secondary Schools to give them the opportunity of not only playing table tennis but in seeing how it can be played.

Those attending seemed to enjoy their afternoon and it is hoped that a few will now decide to take up the sport.

Activity at the club is now scheduled to go up a notch or two as the West Lothian league now makes a start to its season and full reports will follow as usual.