Winchburgh crowned county table tennis champs

Jun 23 2011 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WINCHBURGH hit Torphichen for six this week to take the West Lothian Table Tennis League crown in sensational style.

It was match they had to win as any dropped points could have seen them pipped at the title post by rivals Deer Park or Whitburn. But Winchburgh proved to be in no mood to let their chance slip through their grasp.

In their encounter with Torphichen, Winchburgh's trio of Dariusz Szymczak, Kieran Boyle and Bill Weir (captain) emphasised their superiority to underline just why they were such strong pre-season favourites for the title.

Szymczak and Boyle were again in imperious form and finished unbeaten. Team captain Weir played well, particularly as he has just returned from a long-term injury, but lost two singles before combining with Szymczak in winning the doubles.

Playing for Torphichen were Ian Wodecki, John Swift (both penholders) and Ros Beck. Swift and Beck both beat Weir, albeit the latter required five gruelling sets.

At the start of the season top-ranked junior Boyle would have been expected to succumb to the wily old Wodecki but such has been his improvement over recent months that he defeated him in four hard-fought sets 11-4, 11-9, 9-11 and 12-10.

In a busy week for Torphichen they also had a match against Dedridge which ended in a 4-4 draw to give each team one point.

On this occasion all three Torphichen players each won one game with Wodecki and Swift also taking the doubles. With a recent change of bat Beck is now showing improved form which has seen her take the scalps of some more fancied opponents.

Within Dedridge's ranks were Keith MacKay, Sam Stanton and Davie Dall, and their wins were recorded by the ever-dependable MacKay and the powerful-hitting Stanton with two apiece.

At the time Deer Park met West Calder they were still in the hunt for the championship so a 5-3 victory proved very welcome.

In probably his best season ever, MacDougall, as expected, accounted for both his singles opponents and combined with young James Marris to win the doubles. Stephen Gray and Marris then added to the tally with one singles win each.

Whitburn, too, kept up the pressure on Winchburgh when they beat Murieston 5-3. Unfortunately it was the results over the whole season which cost them the title as they finished on the same points total as Winchburgh, only to lose out on games difference.

The highlight of the match was the beating of Whitburn's West Lothian champion Robbie Fairley in straight sets by a fired up George Flanagan.

Also playing for Whitburn were the other two regulars, Kevin Boyle and Aaron Cameron and it was their improvement in form over the previous season which was pivotal to their team's title challenge.

Cameron, in particular, has improved out of all recognition from the raw talent shown last season to a much more accomplished competitor this season.

This leaves only the Handicap Cup to complete. Deer Park are due to meet in a semi-final with Winchburgh while Whitburn and Broxburn still have a quarter final fixture with Dedridge awaiting the victors.

Long after the Edinburgh and Lothians League finished the West Lothian F Team eventually managed to take on Edinburgh University in a play-off for a Division Two spot.

In its first season the West Lothian outfit landed an exceptional second top spot in Division Three to be drawn against the second bottom team in division two, in this instance Edinburgh University.

So it was that Benny Flockhart (captain), Stephen Gray and junior Aaron Cameron entered the fray with some optimism. First to the table were young Cameron and the Uni's top player who completed the normal season as one of the very best in the division.

Despite a gallant effort from Cameron he lost to give the students first blood. The seasoned campaigner Flockhart then played a captain's part to return the score to parity by winning in straight sets in spite of being five set points down during the game.

Likewise, Gray then also won three straight before first Flockhart and Cameron followed suit. With a lead of 4-1 it looked all done and dusted but the students had other ideas.

In a total reversal of their early form Edinburgh University unbelievably took all five remaining games to win 6-4 and retain their Division Two status.

Over the weekend of June 24 to 26, the annual Secondary Schools Six Nations Championships are due to be held in Shropshire. There will be teams at under-14, under-16 and over-16 levels for both boys and girls representing Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. It is a prestigious event where many of the competitors over the years make it to full international level.

Playing for Scotland in the over 16 category will be Bathgate Academy's Imogen Beck who will be competing at her first major tournament.

This being the case she may find the going tough but regardless of results she is sure to gain immense experience in the process. Unfortunately for the West Lothian club it will not be put to good use for them next season as Imogen will likely be leaving the local area for university where she hopes that she can find a local team.

There is no doubt she will be sorely missed as a particularly popular member of West Lothian's table tennis community.