West Schools Qualifier
The West of Scotland School’s Championships took place at Holyrood Sports Centre on Sunday 10th February 2008. There was a very encouraging entry of 45 boys battling it out to qualify for the Scottish Schools National Championships, being held on the 13th April at Bells Sports Centre, Perth.
Under 12 Boys
This was the first time the under 12’s has been included in this competition. Connor Moran won group 1 against Josh Liddell, Thomas Cairns and Ben Quinn. Group 2 was won by Craig McGregor, who beat Tony Hay, Ryan Reid and Ross McNulty. Group 3 was the tightest of all group with 8 year old Yaser Razouk upsetting the group by beating Jacob Aitchison, Greg Robertson, Christopher Keane and Jay Prentice. Group 4 was won by Raymond McGregor who beat Alistair McDougall and David Drain.
In the top group – Connor Moran went through the day undefeated, beating Raymond McGregor, Craig McGregor and Yaser Razouk to win the championship.
Under 12 Girls
This again was a first for the West of Scotland Schools Championships. Five girls competed in a group to determine the champion. The competitors were: Lucy Elliott, Donna Gillon, Nadia Doherty, Halyley Doherty, Ellie Hutchison. This group came down to the final game between Lucy Elliott and Donna Gillon, who had each won 3. Donna upset the seedings by beating Lucy 3-1.
Under 14’s
With Scott Barton on international duty the under 14 category was there for the taking. Who would be the next Champion? In group 1 Adam Gaffney beat Craig O’Brien, Umar Khalid, Ross Grant and Chris Dyer. In Group 2 Basel Razouk beat Jonathan Tweedie, Neil Gourlay, Craig Jarvie and Christopher Connolly. Group 3 was won by Duncan Smith, who beat Jillian Hyslop, Cameron Lang and Michael Whitelaw. Group 4 was won by Andrew Begg, who beat David Stewart, Jordan Morris, Amir Ali.
In the top group, things really started to get interesting with Duncan
Smith scoring his first competitive win against Adam Gaffney, Basel then went on to beat Duncan. Adam then recovered from his loss to Duncan by beating Basel. All three beat Andrew Begg (Stonelaw High). A points count back was required to find out who was the champion. Adam Gaffney (Rosshall Academy) won the Group, Basel second, Duncan third and Andrew fourth.
Under 16 Boys
Two groups of four boys were involved in the under 16 boys event. Top seed Sean Doherty eased his way to the semi finals with wins against Joe Dyer, Mark Faulds and Hong Tai Chen. In group two Daniel Swiatek beat Philip Houston (Williamwood High), but was taken all the way against Nathan Courtney, winning 3-2. But the best match in this group was Philip Houston taking Nathan Courtney to the wire. Philip put up a brave fight but Nathan held on to take runner up spot on the group.
Semi Finals
The first of the semi final action saw a dominant Sean Doherty (Hillhead High) taking no chances against Nathan Courtney (Drumchapel High). Sean won this match 3-0. Daniel Swiatek (St Pauls High) also won his match against Joe Dyer. The first two sets were close, but Daniel showed his class in the 3rd set.Final
In the final, a repeat of last years under 14 Championships, Sean Doherty took on Daniel Swiatek. This was one of the best matches of the championships with some great attacking table tennis. Sean won 3-1 to take the title.
Under 18 Boys
There were only three competitors competing in this age category. Craig Hardie (Rosshall Academy) won this event with ease, with Graeme Donnelly finishing runner up, having beaten Gary Taylor (Williamwood High).
Open Doubles
This again was a new event at the 2008 championships. Sean Doherty/Daniel Swiatek won group 1 against Tony Hay/Alistair McDougall, David Stewart/Chris Dyer, Raymond McGregor/Ross McNulty.
Group 2 was won by Craig Hardie/Nathan Courtney who beat Andrew Begg/Ross Grant, Greg Robertson/Thomas Cairns, Jordan Morris/Michael Whitelaw
Group 3 was won by Stephanie McCallum/Graeme Donnelly who beat Craig McGregor/Josh Liddell and Adam Gaffney/Connor Moran.
Group 4 was won by Natasha Milliken/Duncan Smith who beat Jillian Hyslop/Lucy Elliott and Ryan Reid/Benn Quinn.
Group 5 was won by Gary Taylor/Joe Dyer who beat Basel Razouk/Yaser Razouk, Philip Houston/Jacob Aitchison, Cameron Lang/Hong Tai Chen.
There was a play off match between the winner of group 4 and group 5 for a place in the semi finals. Natasha Milliken/Duncan Smith overcame Gary Taylor/Joe Dyer to reach the semi finals.
Semi Finals
The first of the semi finals saw Sean Doherty/Daniel Swiatek race to a 2-0 lead, only for Stehanie McCallum/Graeme Donnelly to storm back to win the third and fourth sets. Sean and Daniel then regained their composure to win the fifth set.
The other semi final saw Craig Hardie/Nathan Courtney take on Natasha Milliken/Duncan Smith. Craig and Nathan took no chances in this encounter winning 3-0 to reach the final.
Final
The final brought the two top seeds together. Sean Doherty/Daniel Swiatek battled hard against Craig Hardie/ Nathan Courtney. There were some great attacking rallies in this match, but Sean and Daniel showed their dominance winning 3-0.
Philip McCallum
West Schools Organiser