West Schools Qualifier
The West of Scotland Schools Championships took place on Saturday 21st January 2017. This year saw a very healthy entry of 43 players all trying to qualify for the Scottish Schools Finals being held on Sunday 18th February 2017 at Bathgate Academy. Successful players from this event can represent Scotland at the Senior Schools International being held in Jersey
2 June 2017.
Under 12 Event
Although this event is not part of the qualification to the Scottish Schools Finals this was a very competitive event which saw 9 competitors split into two groups of four.
In group 1, Patric Hollywood topped the group with wins against Amelia Smolarek, Jessica Hogg and Eric Siu. Amelia was runner up to Patric defeating Jesica and Eric.
In group 2, Chad Duncan won this group defeating Holly McNamara, Nathan Hogg, Aaron McAneny and James Gall to progress. Holly McNamara was runner up, defeating Nathan, Aaron and James.
Semi Finals
Chad Duncan wasted to time reaching the final by defeating Amelia Smolarek 3-0. Patric Hollywood had a tougher time as he defeated Holly McNamara 3-1 to secure his place in the final.
Final
The final between two of the West of Scotland’s rising stars was between Chad Duncan and Patric Hollyood. Chad got off to the better start winning the first set 11-9, But Patric fought hard to win the next three sets 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 to take the title.
Under 14 Boys event
The under 14 boys event was our most popular event this year with 17 entries. Due to Martin Johnston being involved in the Junior British League he was awarded a bye, which meant 3 places were up for grabs.
In group 1, Harvey McDonald wasted no time winning group 1 defeating Michael Zhang, Winston Siu and Achint Makesh. Michael finished the group in second place defeating Achint and Winston.
In group 2, Charlie Morton secured his place by defeating Liam Callan, Owen Hill and a hard fought match against the improving Tony Nelson. Tony finished runner up defeating Liam and Owen.
In Group 3, Jamie Johnston won this group defeating Aron Richardson, Grant McLellan and Joseph McAneny, Arron was runner up defeating Grant and Joseph.
In Group 4, Guatam Kakar won this group defeating Rayaan Khalid, Robbie MacKenzie and Jason Lambert. Rayaan was runner up defeating Robbie and Jason.
Quarter Finals
Harvey McDonald defeated Rayaan Khalid 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-6)
Charlie Morton defeated Aaron Richardson 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-6)
Jamie Johnston defeated Tony Nelson 3-2 ( 11-7, 11-9, 5-11, 4-11, 11-9)
Michael Zhang defeated Guatam Kakar 3-2 (11-6, 4-11, 11-3, 11-13, 11-6)
Semi Finals
Harvey McDonald defeated Jamie Johnston 3-2 (12-14, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6)
Charlie Morton defeated Michael Zhang 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-6)
3rd/4th Play offs
Michael Zhang defeated Jamie Johnston 3-1 (12-10, 11-2, 9-11, 14-12)
Final
Harvey McDonald defeated Charlie Morton 3-1 (11-7, 6-11, 11-5, 11-8)
Under 16
A group of 7 fought this out to secure their place at Bathgate. Zaid Khalid won this event defeating Elliott Medland, Martin Krus, Aaron Richardson, Rowan Kintrea, Adam Nicol, Sonny Coll. The final placings were:
- Zaid Khalid
- Elliott Medland
- Sonny Coll
- Martin Krus
- Adam Nicol
- Rowan Kintrea
- Aidan Brannigan
Under 18 Boys
9 players entered this competition, with Yaser Razouk also away competing in the Junior British League there were three places up for grabs.
In group 1, James Woods won this group defeating Kayser Collins, Owen Wilson and Jack Regan. Jack Regan was runner up defeating Kayser and Owen.
In group 2, Ryan Henry topped the group defeating Chris Mexson, Declan Tobin and Robyn Wilson, Chris Mexson was runner up defeating Robyn Wilson and Declan Tobin.
Semi Finals
James Woods defeated Chris Mexson 3-2 (9-11, 15-13, 6-11, 14-12, 11-7)
Jack Regan defeated Ryan Henry 3-2 (11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 3-11, 11-1)
3rd/4th Play Off
Ryan Henry defeated Chris Mexson 3-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-7)
Winner
James Woods defeated Jack Regan 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-5)
Open Doubles
Preliminary Round
Wiktoria Smolarek/ Paula Callaghan defeated Ryan Henry/Kayser Collins 3-1 (3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5)
Quarter Finals
Guatam Kakar/James Woods defeated Wiktoria Smolarek/Paula Callaghan 3-1 (11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7)
Harvey McDonald/Tony Nelson defeated Chad Duncan/Patric Hollywood 3-0 (11-7, 11-4, 11-8)
Rayyan Khalid/Aaron Richardson defeated Jamie Johnston/Holly McNamara 3-1 (14-12, 9-11, 11-5, 11-4)
Robyn Wilson/Owen Wilson defeated Declan Tobin/Elliott Medland 3-1 (8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10)
Semi Finals
Harvey McDonald/Tony Nelson defeated Rayaan Khalid/Aaron Richardson 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9)
Guatam Kakar/James Woods defeated Rbyn Wilson/Owen Wilson 3-0 (13-11, 11-2, 11-2)
Final
Harvey McDonald/Tony Nelson defeated James Woods/Guatam Kakar 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4)
My thanks to Corinna Whitaker and Stephanie McCallum who helped on top table duties and to Terry McLernon MBE for setting up the hall.
Qualifiers for the Scottish Schools Finals
Under 14 Boys Under 14 Girls
- Harvey McDonald 1. Wiktoria Smolarek - bye
- Charlie Morton 2. Naomi Provan - bye
- Michael Zhang
- Martin Johnston – Bye
Under 16 Boys Under 16 Girls
- Zaid Khalid 1. Jennie Yang - bye
- Elliott Medland 2. Paula Callaghan - bye
- Sonny Coll 3. Rowan Kintrea - bye
- Martin Krus
Under 18 Boys Under 18 Girls
- James Woods 1. Alisa Khalid - bye
- Jack Regan
- Ryan Henry
- Yaser Razouk - Bye