Table Tennis: West Lothian Open 2009 cancelled

Nov 19 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

TABLE TENNIS players in West Lothian have been left gutted after it was confirmed the West Lothian Open would not take place this year.

Governing body Table Tennis Scotland made the call after realising it would clash with a British League game.

The decision has stunned and deeply disappointed officials at West Lothian Table Tennis club who injected a lot of time and energy into promoting the annual event which has a reputation for being one of Scotland’s best.

However, despite this set back the outlook for the sport in West Lothian has never been better.

West Lothian Three — represented by captain Kevin Milne, Keith Mackay and Zibigneiw Strzyzewski — had a great 9-1 victory over the Head Post Office Two and this fantastic win keeps them at the top of Division Two in the Edinburgh and Lothian's league.

West Lothian Five, were also on their travels to Corstorphine where they recorded a fine 9-1 win over their rivals.

The only match dropped was by captain Jim Stewart but again this was closely contested. The other team members, Martin Rumsey and John Swift both won three out of three.

The West Lothian League is now underway and last week saw some fantastic table tennis.

Bathgate with Drew McLaren and his team mates Kieran Boyle and Roz Beck saw off a spirited challenge from Eliburn, comprising a team of Kevin Milne George Anderson and Rachel Milne in a match of high quality.

Milne won both his matches against the Bathgate numbers one and two.

The real highlight of the night was Kieran and Kevin going all the way in five tremendous sets and ending 15-13 in favour of Kevin.

Bathgate had a 12-year-old boy in their ranks in young Kieran and congratulations must go to another fine young 11-year-old Rachel Milne.

This Sunday sees the return of the Scottish Veterans to Bathgate Academy Sports inclusding Internationalists Barry Hills and Drew McLaren.

Both are currently second in their age groups will be taking part as this is one, of the qualifying tournaments, for the Six Nations Championships being held this year in England.