NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017
The entry for the National Championships and Ladies’ events was down slightly from our usual numbers. So, on with the action; Ladies first!!!!
Ladies Doubles
The Ladies played their doubles in a group of four pairs; it looked as though the strongest pairs would be Maureen Moran/Catherine O’Neill and Fiona Kinloch/Carol McLean. Both pairs started strongly; Linda Powell/Winnie Stein and Ros Beck/Sue Adamson could not win a game against the “big two”, with only three 9-11 defeats being the closest they got. In the third/fourth play-off, Ros and Sue took a narrow 2-0 lead in games but Linda and Winnie took the third 11-9 before Ros and Sue took the fourth end 11-8; a relatively close match. The final followed the same pattern; Maureen and Catherine took a 2-0 lead before Fiona and Carol fought back to take the third end but the West pairing edged home 11-8 in the fourth to take the title.
National Ladies Doubles Champions: Maureen Moran and Catherine O'Neill
Ladies Singles
The Ladies’ Singles was in two groups of four. Group one seemed routine on paper for Maureen to ease through BUT matches are won on the table, not on paper!!! Maureen started off with a 3-0 win over Carol. The second seed in the group, Catherine, defeated Ros by the same score. In the reverse singles, Ros turned the tables on Maureen, leading 2-1 in games; Maureen levelled it in the fourth only for Ros to take the decider 11-6.
Amazingly, the other match between Catherine and Carol was decided in a similar way; this time Catherine edged it 13-11 in the fifth. Any chance Ros had of winning was dispelled in the next game, Carol romping home in three games with ease. So to the decider; who ever won it, was the group winner!! Catherine took the opener but Maureen then led after two 11-9 wins. Catherine levelled the match with yet another 11-9 win and in a very tight decider, Maureen held her nerve to win 11-8.
In Group 2, the two favourites, Sue and Fiona, both started with wins. Linda took two games from Sue while Fiona demolished Winnie in three. Then came the reverse singles; Fiona took four games to see off Linda with Sue recording a similar score-line against Winnie. Linda dropped the second game against Winnie but 11-7, 11-5 scores give her third place. In the decider for top spot, Sue took the opener against Fiona, but the Dundee lassie bounced back and rattled off the next three games, 11-3, 11-4, 11-8.
In the first semi, Maureen had a very commanding 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 win over Sue. By contrast, the other semi went to the very last game. Fiona took the opener but two narrow 14-12, 11-9 wins put Catherine ahead. An 11-7 win levelled the match for Fiona but in the last game, Catherine ran away with it 11-6 to face Maureen in the final. Maureen emerged a very worthy winner in an extremely close competition. The final score were 11-7, 9-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-1.
National Ladies Singles Champion: Maureen Moran
40+
Now to the age groups. David Tait, the top seed had Keith Dingwall and Adam Smolarek in his group. Both Keith and David had little trouble in winning against Adam but the decider between them proved to be a classic. David took control at the start with close 16-14, 11-8 wins in the first two games, but Keith hit back to, level it, 11-5, 11-7. The last game was a classic with both players having chances to win but it was David who eventually won the long las game, 16-14!!
Group 2 saw the return after injury of Dylan deSilva; he joined Gordon Waddell and Fiona Kinloch. In the first two matches, Gordon and Dylan both defeated Fiona 3-0 so Dylan and Gordon played the group decider. It only lasted three games, but what close games they were, Dylan scraping through 11-9, 17-15, 11-9.
In Group 3, Maureen Moran joined Uwe Petermann and Dariusz Szymczak. Both the men had little difficulty in seeing off Maureen and, in the decider; Dariusz always seemed to be in control despite dropping the third game 8-11.
Group 4 saw Catherine O’Neill up against Brian Wright and Greg McDonnel; once again the men defeated Catherine 3-0 and the deciding game saw Brian edge out Greg in four; 11-4, 2-11, 11-6, 11-9.
In the first semi, Dariusz met David. David started off strongly taking the first two games 11-7, 11-8, and then Dariusz hit back to take the third 11-9. Any thoughts of an upset were soon dispelled as David eased to an 11-6 win in the fourth. Semi 2 saw Brian and Dylan battle it out. Brian edged the first game 11-9 but Dylan hit back brilliantly to take the next three 11-7, 11-9, 11-7. The final between Dylan and David looked to be rather one-sided with Dylan winning in three straight games, 11-6, 11-6, 11-9. Obviously, Dylan is back with a bang after all his injury problems this season!!! Well done, Champion Dylan.
Congratulations to Dylan deSilva, 2017 Scottish National Champion.
50+
The main question was; can anybody stop Gerry Campbell??? In his group, he met Paul Monteith and Kenny Mclean. Paul could not make any inroads against him losing in three, Kenny also defeated Paul, at least Paul won a game!! In the decider, the form book went out the window; Kenny led 2-0 with very close 12-10, 11-9 wins but Gerry fought back to take the next game 11-9. The fourth game was just as close as the other three and Kenny held his nerve to win it 11-9, and the Champion was defeated.
Second seed, Colin Green found himself in a group of four; John Sinclair, Robbie McIntosh and Martin McKay were his opponents. Both Colin and Martin had little difficulty defeating both John and Robbie, with Robbie having a 3-0 win over John for his only success. The decider was a fascinating match to see. Martin took the first game 11-8 only for Colin to take the second 13-11. Martin again took the lead with an 11-9 win only for Colin to level it again. In the last game, Colin held on for a very narrow 11-9 win in a game that could have gone either way. So the second seed was safely through.
Third seed Alan Whitton had Callum Gerrard and Doug Seller in his group. Alan and Callum easily defeated Doug 3-0 and in the decider, Alan triumphed in three, 11-6, 13-11, 11-8.
Fourth seed Bill Paterson seemed to have an easier task; he dropped a game to Paul Dowden and defeated Andrew Exton 3-0. Paul and Andrew had a thrilling match with Paul just scraping a win, 11-9 in the fifth.
The first Semi saw Alan and Kenny compete for a place in the final. Kenny’s get-up-and-go as shown in his group matches had got-up-and-gone here; Alan had an easy 3-0 win, 11-4, 11-9, 11-8. The second Semi was closer. Colin took the first two games 11-9, 11-7 against Bill, but dropped the next one 9-11. Colin scraped through in the next game 11-9 to reach the final.
The final was again closely contested. After Alan took the opening two games Colin won the third set but Alan recovered control to take the fourth set and the Championship 3-1. Alan's third National title in 4 years.
Well done Alan Whitton: 2017 Scottish Over 50s Champion
60+
Congratulations to Geoff Hunter, 2017 Scottish National Champion who defeated Sinclair Houston in the final of the Over 60s competition. Losing Semifinalists were Steve Crook and Charlie Brown. Sorry I do not have further details (AJ Whitton)
New Champion: 2017 Over 60s Champion Geoff Hunter
70+
This competition was run in three groups of three. Group, one saw leading player Richard Masterson up against Peter Klemm and the dangerous Brian Morgan. The first two matches saw Richard and Brian both defeat Peter 3-0. In the group decider, Richard took the first game 11-6 against Brian, but Brian hit back to level it only for Richard to take the next two games to win the group.
Group 2 saw George Johnston, free from injury, make his annual pilgrimage to the event. He was in the same group as Ian McLagan and Linda Powell. He made short work of the two of them, winning 3-0 each time. Ian also defeated Linda 3-0 to complete the scoring.
Group three’s seeded player was Ray Howe and he opened with a win over Winnie Stein; in the next game Carol Mclean also had a 3-0 win over Winnie. In the decider, Ray took the first 11-6 and looked to
be in complete control. Carol had other thoughts and took the next three12-10, 11-7, 11-8 to take the top spot.
In the Final group, the match between Richard and George decided it; George raced to an 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 win with Richard completely baffled by George’s bat!!! Well done George and we hope you will be able to play in more tournaments next year!!!
Congratulations to George Johnston, 2017 Over 70s National Champion.
75+
This is the first running of this event due to there being a new category. Now to the action.
Group 1 saw Doug Sinclair, the leading points holder drawn against Peter Howarth and Bob Sterling. The opening game was between Bob and Douglas. Douglas took the opening game 11-8 and looked to be on track for a good win. However, Bob had other ideas and hit back with 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 wins to take the match. In the next game, he also defeated Peter Howarth, in straight sets to win the group. Douglas also had a 3-0 over Peter to finish second.
Group 2 involved Drew McLaren, drawn against Jim Fleming and Bill Davidson. It looked as though the final game between Bill and Drew would decide the group. Both players defeated Jim Fleming 3-0 and, in the final match, Bill eased into the final, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 being the scores.
Could Bob produce yet another shock and defeat Bill?? Bill won the opening game 11-2 and there was no way back for Bob, eventually losing the next games as well, 11-9, 11-7. Once again Bill won the title of National Champion, a very deserved winner.
The other four players played “place” matches; it was better to play than sit down and watch paint dry until the Open events began in two and a bit hours later in the day!!! Drew defeated Douglas 3-1, the first two games being shared 17-15, 14-16!! Peter then defeated Jim 3-0 for his first win of the day.
Congratulations to Bill Davidson, inaugural Scottish 75+ National Champion
Open Event
In the Open Singles, most of the seeded players survived the first-round knock-out stage before the Open and Plate groups were formed. Richard Masterson, Doug Sinclair and Dave McDonald were the unlucky ones losing to Ray Howe, John Kerr and Andrew Exton.
Group 1 saw Gerry Campbell take top place, followed by Keith Dingwall and Geoff Hunter.
Group 2 was won by Kenny McLean, Callum Gerrard and Ray Howe being the unlucky losers.
Group 3 winner was Gordon Waddell, defeating Martin McKay, Andrew Exton and Peter Shaw.
Group 4 winner Colin Green turned the tables on Alan Whitton, and defeat Peter Aird, Pat Duffy in close matches.
Group 5: Dylan deSilva the winner, Brian Wright, John Kerr and Charlie Brown now spectators.
Group 6; Dariusz Sczymczak winning it from Steven Crook and Greg McDonnel
Quarter Final; Dariusz beat Gordon, 15-13, 11-9, 11-4
Quarter Final; Dylan beat Colin, 13-11, 12-10, 11-5
Semi Final 1 Gerry beat Dylan, 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-4
Semi Final 2; Kenny beat Dariusz; 11-8, 13-11, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5
FINAL; Again, turning the tables on the morning match, Gerry beat Kenny; 11-8, 11-7, 11-7. (At last Gerry won a title today!!!)
Congratulations to Gerry Campbell, Scottish Veterans (Open) National Champion (Again, Again, Again...)
PLATE COMPETITION
Group 7; Sinclair Houston, winner, Bill Davidson, Paul Dowden and Ian McLagan can go home!!
Group 8; Winner-Monte Bleasedale, Richard Masterson, John Sinclair and Stewart McGowan, Ta-Ta!!
Group 9; Robbie McIntosh winner; going home were Brian Morgan and Jim Anderson!!
Group 10; Paul Monteith, winner, Adam Smolarek, Peter Klemm Drew McLaren, see you later!!
Group 11; Uwe Petermann, winner, fond farewells to Peter Howarth, Bob sterling and Doug Sinclair.
Group 12; Doug Seller beat Jim Fleming; Doug handle Jim’s funny bat!!!
Quarter Final 1; Paul beat Uwe, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7, 14-12
Quarter Final 2; Robbie beat Doug, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6
Semi Final; 1 Robbie beat Monte, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9
Semi Final 2; Sinclair beat Paul, 11-13, 11-7. 10-12, 11-9, 11-5
FINAL; Sinclair beat Robbie; 8-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Sinclair Houston: 2017 Open Plate Winner
Where were the ladies during this competition, I hear you ask?? The answer is that they were playing their Ladies’ Singles and Doubles; it was their decision!!!
Again, a big thanks to all competitors and I hoped they enjoyed their day.
Ian
Thanks to Ian for writing these notes and to Andrew for updating the points table.