Premier League Report
The Premier League road show got off to a scintillating start at Drumchapel tonight (18/10/2008) with four extremely competitive matches. We have nine teams competing for the league title and the standard of play is shaping up to be even higher than last year.
First up was a local derby between Drumchapel A (Craig Hardie/Terry McLernon Jnr.) and defending champions Drumchapel B (Daniel Swiatek/Sean Doherty)
Drumchapel A 3 – 2 Drumchapel B
Craig Hardie got Drum A off to a solid start with a 3-0 win over Daniel but Sean Doherty restored parity for Drum B with an excellent 3-1 over Terry Mc. The doubles developed into a 5 end roller coaster with Daniel and Sean winning 11-7 in the deciding set. Craig and Terry then took a grip of the match and polished off two wins in the singles to give them a 3-2 win. Last years champions will be disappointed with losing their first match but it is an early warning to them that they are playing in a more competitive league this year and retaining the title will not be straightforward.
Drumchapel C 1-4 Greenock
The new Drumchapel C pairing of Corinna Whitaker and Natasha 
Milliken were faced with a difficult baptism when they matched up to the experienced Greenock vets Callum Gerrard and Malcolm Hutton. It looked as if it would be plain sailing for Greenock when Callum ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner in the first match against Corinna but Natasha pushed Malky all the way in a five end thriller losing deuce in the fifth. It was a repeat performance in the doubles for Greenock with an 11-9 in the fifth victory; Match score 3-0 to Greenock. Corinna then got a point on the board for Drum C with an impressive 3-1 win against Malky but Callum then sealed the four points for Greenock with a 3-1 victory over Natasha.
Holyrood 2-3 Glasgow Students Collective A
Peter Shaw opened for Holyrood against GSC A (2006/07 Division 1 runners up) and he faced Paul Marshall, a new recruit for the Glasgow 
Students. Paul is a highly rated player from Jersey who has represented the Island at recent Commonwealth and World Championships. He has good variety of serves and strong attack on both wings. He secured the first two sets against Peter in impressive style, lost the third but then secured the win, 11-6 in the fourth. Sinclair Houston then got Holyrood back on level terms with a competitive 3-1 win against Siful Kahn. The all important doubles was won by the Students in four close ends. Peter then beat Siful 3-1 but Paul was too strong for Sinclair winning in four ends and securing three points for GSC.
North Ayrshire 4-1 South Ayrshire
Premier debutants North Ayrshire set down a marker in this all Ayrshire 
derby that they are not taking part to make up the numbers. Chris Main set the ball rolling with an efficient 3-1 victory over James Weatherston. The redoubtable Alan McCarry got the South back on level terms with a 3-1 win over Richie Main. North Ayrshire then stamped their authority on the match winning the doubles in three close ends and Chris repeated that match score against Alan. Richie completed a fine team performance with a 3-1 victory over James.
We have the website's first official post. It's opinionated, forthright but remember you have the right to reply. View it here.