Morrison and Leggett triumph at Nationals

Report by Mark Lundberg 

 

The Table Tennis Scotland community once again congregated in Perth for the flagship event in the calendar. Early March is when all the training, 121s, planning and sacrifices come together with a hope of being crowned a National Champion. Bells Sports Centre within the fair city has become our home for a very long time however the arena would change for 2023. Due to the changes within the complex, we moved to the main arena from the coaching hall. This still being familiar to most of the participants as it plays host to the National League and Perth Grand Prix played out earlier in the season. If you were a veteran to the National Championships the impressive domed arena used to be called home.  What did not disappoint with the change of arena was the drama and action which unfolded over the next two days starting on the Saturday with the senior competition followed on the Sunday with the future senior champions taking centre stage. 

 

Play began sharp at 9am where the Ladies Doubles and Men Singles took to the courts to start to the action and the observation is the hall did look fantastic with equipment sponsors Tees Sport providing once again Butterfly equipment which is worthy of such an important championships steeped in such deep history giving the participants no excuses that they were provided the best. 

 

Joining the trophy presentation our invited special guest Mrs Lyn Bennet, sister of Scottish Table Tennis Legend Carole Dalrymple nine time singles champion who passed away in 2004. Lyn joined for the unveiling of the new ladies trophy name after Carole and as unveiled later what a spectacular trophy it is. 

 

Mens Singles Group Stages 

Going into the Mens Singles the more interesting analysis of the eleven groups was not necessary who would win the groups however who would move through to the knockout stages as the group runner up and could the group participants prove the initial analysis wrong and cause upset over the seeded players. It did turn out the seeds came through with little trouble and the excitement came from who would battle it out for the 2nd position.

 

The highlights from the group action and the battles for a place in the knockout stages started in. Group 2 where  Kieran Walker defeated Andrew Nimmo, Group 3 Borui Chen took the win over Ryan Henry, Group 5 Cameron Hussain defeated Gordon Muir in a five set thriller. Group 8 regarded as the group of death and there is always one each year; Nathan Hogg would take the runners up position over Callum Riddoch and Rayyan Khalid. In tradition with previous National Championships there is no boundaries for the veterans and over 50s participant in the Scottish Veteran circuit Dundee`s Paul Monteith had a fantastic win over Harry Blackhall in group 11 however credit to one of younger participants in the competition  Murrayfield`s Rory Thomson who took Paul all the way to 5th set. The group stages where certainly the mix of the older, the up and coming and the stalwarts who make table tennis in the country so competitive and a whole report could just be written on these groups as other matches not mentioned also deserve credit.  

 

To get to the last 16 of the singles six preliminary matches were played out to see who would move to the next stage of the competition. The match that got everyone’s attention in this round saw Kieran Walker v Chris Wheeler. This match gained an audience for three reasons; Kieran has been based in France for this season and there was intrigue on how is his game progressing.  The return to a national championships of Chris Wheeler, his progress in table tennis followed by so many for so long and it was just fantastic seeing him making a return to the competition and the third reason their match was just fantastic to watch and full of twists and turns. It was Kieran who took the victory however Chris had his chances to take the match in four sets losing it to deuce.  Taking their place also in the last 16 saw the progress of Yaser Razouk, David Hay, Borui Chen, Nathan Hogg and Jacob Munro ending the progress of Cameron Hussain, Paul Monteith, Daniel Tibbetts, Charlie McGowan and Ben Hart respectively. 

 

The highlight of this round saw Calum Morrison and Sean Doherty face off, some would say it would be great to see this match possibly at a later stage in the competition however it is a testament to the men’s competitions that the standard is very high. There will always be this type of match in the earlier rounds of knockout stages.  It was Calum who would progress to the quarter finals taking the match in four sets. Also moving through to the next stage top seed Gavin Rumgay who ended Kieran Walkers campaign. To highlight the depth in this event further  Kieran played out an epic 5 set against Chris Wheeler  in the previous round but next match he is up against Gavin. Joining Gavin and Calum, the expected seeds did move through without much trouble: Colin Dalgleish, Chris Main, Niall Cameron, Dylan Curry, Danny Bajwa and Martin Johnson.

 

Calum Morrison caused the shock of this round taking out 2nd Seed and multiple time finalist and winner of the 2019/20 championship Colin Dalgleish. Calum stormed into a two set lead controlling the ball with great affect. Colin fought back and took set 3 but this did not stop Calum and his game plan as he prevailed to take the match in set 4. 

 

Gavin Rumgay did not have it all own way in his match with Chris Main with it being a very cagey affair; Chris took set number 1. Gavin did go on to win next three sets helped with his extensive match experience in the final stages of each set where it was nip and tuck to the closing stages.. 

Martin Johnson dispatched the veteran Niall Cameron in his quarter final in three straight sets with Niall unable to stop the Johnson power from both wings. In the left handers battle, fellow Strathclyde University alumni Danny Bajwa and Dylan Curry played out a 4 set match.  Dylan took the first set however Danny took the next 3 sets and move to the semi-finals. 

 

For the third National Championships in a row, Gavin Rumgay and Martin Johnson would play each other in the semi-finals. In the previous matches Martin had pushed Gavin however the experienced champion from Perth was able to come out on top. There was a feeling in the arena with the form Martin had been showing over the past year and Gavin`s lack of tournament action where the Commonwealths in Birmingham being his last competitive match. Martin could cause an upset and this is exactly what happened. Martin went into a two set lead with some fantastic play. Really taking advantage of his own serve and strong third ball attack. Gavin was struggling to stay in touch with Martin. It was also clear Martin was sticking to a game plan of pushing Gavin into his forehand where ultimately proved to be tactically very clever. Gavin did rally in set number 3 and would experience prove to be telling and could he square up the match. This was not the case Martin showing calmness beyond his years forged a lead over the defending champion. In set 4; one point must be highlighted which brought disbelief to the arena. Gavin attacking down the line Martin not being able to get position to play a backhand and resulted to bringing the bat behind his back and returning the ball down the line just as fast as Gavin had played to him. A play made famous from top Austrian player Daniel Habenson we now have the man from North Ayrshire showing this instinct in a national semi-final. It is the second year in a row that Martin has defied what seems possible rising from the ground in last year’s match with Danny Bajwa which was filmed and went viral round the table tennis world. It is unfortunate this shot was not filmed, however we are eager to see what Martin has in the bag for next year. Back to the match Martin took the 4th set 11-6 and ended Gavin`s quest for a 17th National Mens title and ensure it would be a new name on this year’s trophy. However I am  sure this will make Gavin hungry to return next year and prove that the changing of the guard is put on hold.

 

In semi-final number two Danny Bajwa faced off against Calum Morrison in another all left handers battle. Both players traded the first set. This match like so many when table tennis gets played at elite level is down to who can handle serve and receive better and in this match it was Calum who again showed great control of the ball able to place it where he needed to make Danny work to gain success in the match. Calum took the match in four sets to move to his first singles final. 

 

A final at the start of the day that if you were a betting person may of not seen as a match up however the way these two had conducted themselves throughout the day was it in fact a surprise? Martin had showed great calmness to be out right ruthless to get this first senior final and Calum who had no doubt had tough draw on paper showed great touch and ball control to simply outclass his opponents. This was an interesting matchup which there is no real history of the two finalists facing each other. If you were from the East of country then Edinburgh born Calum may be your choice and if from the West of the country then North Ayrshires Martin would get your vote. If from central Scotland being a neutral may have been the best option to take. 

 

The final the best of 7 sets was played at a fantastic pace if you blinked you would miss it. That`s not to say the players would make unforced errors to cause shorter points it was more the play was set up where attacking third ball and fifth ball points would prove to be where the points would be won. Both players would trade the first two sets where at the start of the third set it was hard to say who would have the advantage. As the set move on it was the man from the North Ayrshire who started to gain the advantage never giving an inch and clinical attacking play he would take set number 3 and then again in set number 4 Calum finding it difficult to live with Martins play and the control he had shown brilliantly throughout the day starting to fail him slightly. Martin would pip Calum and take it 12-10 and move into three set to one lead and on the verge of the promise which had been shown from a young age and take the senior mens title. Calum did have other thoughts and the poise and great touch and control of a point returned. Calum would fight back and take set number 5 and show great temperament and win set number 6, 12-10 and set up watch the watching crowd wanted if you were a neutral that is, a final set decider. 

 

It was Calum who would get the early advantage in the set always pushing himself ahead. The observation from many after the match was possibly Martin was going for too much early in the point trying to get win the point early rather than setting up to dispatch next ball however this is national final and there is not room to step back and to just hope to win a point. Calum would keep the advantage and take the victory 11/8 and only the second ever left handed Champion in living memory since the legendary Malcolm Sugden to win the Mens National Singles Title. 

 

What a victory it was to come back from 3/1 down in the final and a very tough draw to even reach the final. A Big well done to Martin who I am sure will have his name on the trophy in the not too distant future. Calum winning the championships in front of his father Craig who was beaming with pride and having long term corner man Gordon Muir who seemed to be a lucky omen being in the corner of the singles finals of both the Mens and Womens winner. Calum is rewarded for the hard work he has put in taking the decision to go to such a hub of great table tennis players in choosing Nottingham University for his studies as well as recent training at the legendary Kingfisher club in Reading proving now to be worthwhile in making the desired improvements to our new national champion game. 

 

The Ladies singles again proved to be a competition where stamina and mental toughness is an essential criteria in deciding who would become this years champion. Played in two groups with group one containing top seed Rebecca Plaistow, Ailsa Khalid and Paula Callaghan as the notable names within the group. Group Two contained 2nd seed Lucy Elliott, defending champion Faye Leggett, Holly McNamara and not forgetting the wily Joy Daniels who would have a say in determining the outcome of this group. Both the group winner and runner up would move through to contest the semi-finals. 

 

In group one Rebecca came out on top as group winner taking victory in all five of her matches however it did take five sets for the top seed to overcome Alisa Khalid. In the key match of who would join Rebecca in the semi-finals saw Drumchapel club mates Paula Callaghan and Ailsa Khalid battle it out. The early signs showed it could be Paula who would take the victory as she moved into a two set lead however Ailsa pulled herself back into the match by battling to level it at two sets all. It would be a fifth set decider and Alisa`s momentum would continue as she took the victory. Due to the nature of the ladies group format this match was played early in the proceedings and mental toughness is required to navigate through the remaining matches to then confirm the final place in the semi-finals. 

 

Group two proved to have plenty of drama where the group matches swung throughout to who would make through to the semi-finals. The first shock in the group came in the first match when defending champion Faye Leggett was defeated by fellow Edinburgh University Alumni Holly McNamara 12-10 in the final set which set the tone for what was to come throughout the group. Number two seed Lucy Elliott would win three matches on the group coming through tricky encounters with Holly and Joy Daniels but would go on to lose to Faye in three straight sets. Faye would regain her composure from the opening match defeat and win the remaining her remaining matches in the group. This would leave Lucy and Faye with three wins and defeat. It was then down to Holly to match this record and leave a headache for top table looking at count back for the group winner and runner up however Joy Daniels had other ideas as she defeated Holly in three straights sets as Holly found it difficult to breakdown the Daniels style. This made life easier for the tournament organisers as Faye would take the top spot and Lucy would move through as the group runner up. 

 

Rebecca would take on Lucy in the first semi-final and what a match it would prove to be. These two certainly know each other games after playing each other in previous tournaments however as expected they would not hold back. Rebecca moved in 2 set to 1 lead however Lucy showed fantastic resolve to hit back and take set number 4 with just the loss of a single point which would set up a final set decider. It was Rebecca who move into another national final as she came out on top 11-9 in the final set. 

 

In the next semi final Faye had little trouble in overcoming Alisa who could not recreate the great form showed in the group stages as Faye would reach the final in three straight sets. 

 

The Ladies best of seven final proved to be a very tight affair where who would show the greatest resolve at the business end of the set would prevail to be the victor. Faye would take the opening set 11-9 her gameplan of not allowing Rebecca to settle into any rhythm would prove vital as she would then take the next set 11-7. Rebecca fought back though as she would take the third set 12-10. Set number four followed the same script as Faye would make little unforced errors jumping on any loose ball on the forehand side while frustrating the Plaistow open game with containing chops and blocks on the backhand side and Faye would win this battle to take the fourth set and open three set to one lead. Not much changed in set 5 and Faye would seal victory and defend her Ladies Singles title winning by the closest of margins 11-9. The ladies singles is a very difficult title to win and even losing your first match Faye would show the importance of not allowing this to deter her mind set for the rest of the competition. The ladies group stages is just not mental torture for the player it is for the coaches supporting and the family and friends in the stand watching and whoever comes out on top is deserving champion as no doubt that they have to work to be the national champion and Faye once again is a deserving Champion.

 

The brainchild of Martin Perry there was a suggestion as the players were still present that a demonstration Para Singles event should take place and this suggestion was warmly welcomed by the tournament organisers and watching crowd. The players consisted of Martin Perry, Ryan Henry, Declan Tobin and Brian Carsons who played out a round robin group.

 

It was Ryan and Martin who would play off in the final match to decide who would take the victory as both players went undefeated. Declan would take the win over Brian for third place. If you have seen a Perry v Henry match over the years they are never straightforward and would be described as epics and this was no exception. It was Ryan who would take the spoils 12-10 in the final set after Martin would recover from 2 sets down to force the decider. Here is hoping this event moves from just a demonstration event and possibly moves into the schedule with a view of increased participation. 

 

The Mens doubles would be a straight knock out competition starting with a last 16 with three prelim matches to get us to this stage. Looking at the pairings involved and overall who would you regard as favourites little shock would come except the Aberdeen junior pair of Harry Blackhall and Daniel Tibbetts would overcome the strong Dundee pair of Andrew Nimmo and David Hay in the last 16 and the luck of the draw did not favour the pairing of Chris Wheeler and Yaser Razouk as they would go out at this stage to the Colin Dalgleish and Calum Morrison partnership however taking the fancied pair all the way to a deciding set. 

 

The quarter finals saw no shocks with the pairings of defending champions M Johnson/Bajwa, Main/Doherty, Curry/Cameron and Dalgleish/Morrison all making the semi finals in three straight sets. There was no stopping the Johnson/Bajwa partnership as they would go through to the final without dropping a set in their semi-final against defending champions of Chris Main/ Sean Doherty and would be joined by Dalgleish/Morrison  with the loss of one set as they would overcame the Curry/Cameron team. 

 

The Mens Doubles final as expected was exciting encounter as all players would play their part in providing some exquisite play throughout. the match would go to a final set as the pairings could not be separated and it was the Edinburgh pair of Colin Dalgleish and Calum Morrison who would take the victory stopping the young pairing of Danny Bajwa and Martin Johnson picking up their 3rd Mens doubles crown and also reaching the final for 5th year in a row which is quite an achievement for a team so young. The match was decided 11-9 in the final set and Calum`s great day continuing picking up another national title. 

 

Ladies Doubles 

The ladies doubles very much followed the theme of the singles event where a highly competitive event ensued with matches going right to the wire. The event had an entry of five pairs and where split into two groups to then define a semi-final of the winners and runners up from these early morning matches. 

 

Contesting the first semi-final saw the winners of group 1; Leggett/McNamara who had a fantastic victory in the group over the Stirling/Plaistow team in the group stages. Their opponents were the runners up in the straight playoff match to determine the placing in the semi-finals; Drumchapel team mates Callaghan/Khalid and it was this team from Glasgow  who would prove to be victorious winning the match in four sets to book their place in the final. 

 

The next semi-final proved to be one of the matches of the day and saw the welcome return to a Scottish Table Tennis event of Corinna Whitaker former ladies champion and member of the Commonwealth Games team from Glasgow in 2014 teaming up with Lucy Elliott. This partnership is familiar if you follow the growing sport of Pickleball as these two have forged quite the partnership in this crossover racquet sport. Facing them were Rebecca Plasitow and Lara Stirling. This match went all the to the deciding set and Whitaker/Elliot team lost a big lead in the final set where Rebecca and Lara came storming back to take the victory and book their place in the final. 

 

The final again was a fantastic showcase for the art of doubles it looked like the Plaistow/Stirling team would storm to victory comfortably as they took the opening two sets and when it reached deuce in set 3 you would be forgiven that you would fancy them to get over the line however huge credit to Alisa and Paula as they would not give up the fight and took the set 14-12. Confidence grew in the Callaghan/Khalid team as they took set 4 and set up a final set to decide the winner. This was something the Plaistow/Stirling team were used to in the competition. It went all the way 10-10 and it was Rebecca/Lara who would hold their nerve to take the title. It did show again losing a match in the competition does not necessary mean the end and Rebecca/Lara showed this by recovering from this early setback to go on and be crowned champions. 

 

This event finishes off the schedule of an action packed day and it could be argued it just does not get the merit that it is worth however the reasons are not that anyone views the event in less regard to other but just down to how late in the evening we get to completion and with the competitors being involved in the latter stages of the singles and other doubles events it just proves to be a headache for the tournament organisers. The final was played out in front an empty arena with just a select few staying to watch and the team at top table acting as chief support reacting to what was in the end a fantastic final. 

 

Making their way to the final were the partnerships of Colin Dalgleish/Rebecca Plaistow and Danny Bajwa/Paula Callaghan in their respective semi-finals they dispatched the teams of Elliott/Razouk and Nimmo/Leggett. The final was a fantastic display of doubles action where the Paula/Danny showed great displays of shot making to take the title in 4 sets. This was significant as it ended the Plaistow/Dalgleish dominance in the event where they were going for the title for seventh year in a row.