West of Scotland Table Tennis League

West of Scotland Table Tennis League
News
League Roundup

Premier Division

Chris Main - North AyrshireNorth Ayrshire secured the title for the third season running, proving once again to be the strongest team in the West. This result is even more impressive when their results for the last three years are examined – they haven’t lost a match. Their doubles performances match the quality of their singles play and proved crucial in some of their 3-2 wins. Craig Hardie was the best singles player of the season with 100% record. Drumchapel B also had a great run securing third place with two junior players, Calum Main and Daniel Swaitek both posting impressive averages.

Flying the flag for the vets we had Tam Lawlor, Callum Gerrard and Peter Cameron all performing to a good level and it’s good to see Peter (Über Vet) winning games rather than just giving everyone a hard game.
 
Division 1

Knightswood A won the Division 1 title at a canter with Hasitha Samaraweera recording a 100% inDivision 1 Champions - Knightswood A the averages and ably backed by Neil Docherty and Ian Hay. Individually, Adam Gaffney 44th B.B. had a great season and Roy Claxton is still up there with the best of them. Players to look out for next season are Basel Razouk and Graeme Donnelly who improved consistently over the season.
 
At the other end of the table Mearns are relegated and Garnethill face a play-off with Nomads.
 
Knightswood A also picked up the Maxwell Wilson Cup beating Drumchapel F 5-1 in the quarter–final, followed by a matching score line in the semi against Mearns and then, to complete the league and cup double, South Ayrshire B in the final by a 5-2 margin.
 
Division 2

Division 2 Champions - HolyroodHolyrood were just too strong this season with a combination of seasoned performers and improving juniors. It was good to see their juniors Callum Renton and Ross Grant holding their own against a wide variety of styles and experience. Bill Conroy, in his first experience of competitive TT, also did well for Holyrood particularly in the second half of the league programme. Martin Oestmann (Knightswood C) topped the player averages and should do well if he moves up to the first division next season. Nomads deserved their second spot and still have a chance of playing in the first division if they win the play-off.
 
Brunswick B find themselves propping up the wrong end of the league, followed closely by Maccabi B. The junior team of North Ayrshire came next but I’m sure they are a safe bet to finish in the top half next season.
 
Holyrood matched Knightswood A by completing the double and secured the House of Harris Cup in fine style. They beat Knightswood C 5-2 in the quarter-final, Maccabi A 5-1 in the semi-final and Kilwinning B 5-0 in the final.
 
Carluke did well to win the Walter McNeil Handicap Cup and appeared to get stronger each round they played.
 

Review by Match Secretary
Charlie Brown - Division 1 Player and Match SecretaryOver the season a few teams fell behind with matches due to the bad weather and the re-scheduling of working hours by the local authorities and councils.
The 1/4 finals of Cup games caused a problem as there wasn’t a week allocated for this. Hopefully, this will be remedied next season. Teams should try and use these cup weeks to play postponed games if they have no cup game.
 
It would be better for teams to play with a weaker team rather than postpone their match as some clubs only have a single match night to work with.
The Premier League should be trying harder to fulfill their fixtures as they only have to play ever two weeks and don’t have any cup games to fit in.
 
Overall the standard of the play has improved again this season. Hopefully this will be the case again next season.
 
I wish to thank everyone for their help and wish you all a good summer and look forward to seeing you next season.
 
Charlie Brown
WoSTTL   Match Secretary