17^th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships

30^th May to 5^th June 2007

SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur, India

Playing Captain: Gordon Clancey

Mens Team: Gavin Rumgay

Stewart ‘the bear’ Crawford

Gerry Campbell

And the team was off….

The team met at Edinburgh airport on Sunday 27^th May and joined up with Gavin in London. After 3 flights (flying at 40,000 feet, 545 mph), 4,682 miles and 22 hours we arrived in the stifling 100 degree heat of Jaipur. We were collected by bus and taken to our welcoming air conditioned hotel.

Tuesday was a free day which allowed us to recuperate and catch up on some much needed practice. We were delighted to learn that the hall was also air conditioned so playing conditions were good however the occasional pigeon flying overhead was somewhat off putting.

Team event, qualifying group

Wednesday morning saw the start of the championships and we were in a group with India (the reigning champions), Malaysia and Bangladesh. Our first match was against India and we felt extra pressure as we were playing against the host nation and being televised live on Indian TV.

Gavin got us off to a great start by beating the number two Soumydeep Roy 3-1 showing his expertise and aggressive play from both wings. Next up was Stewart who lost to the current singles champion Sharath Kamal Achanta after a closely fought match (1-3). I then played Subhajit Saha losing 0-3 after finding it tough to up my game after such a long break from international duty. Overall Scotland lost 1-3.

The afternoon match was against Bangladesh where Gerry was introduced. He put up a good fight losing two close ends (11-13, 10-12) but lost the match 0-3. Gavin and Stewart won their games comfortably giving Scotland the win (3-1).

The last match in this group was on Thursday morning against Malaysia and was crucial for us as if we could secure a win we would finish no lower than eighth. First up was Stewart against the number one Muhd Shakirin Ibrahim. Stewart managed an outstanding win over five sets showing great control and shot selection making excellent use of heavy slow spin into the backhand. Gavin then played Kian Beng Chai gaining a 0-2 lead after a thrilling 22-24 win in the second set. Gavin took the match 2-3, another solid performance by him. Malaysia came back into the match after I lost to Mao Sheng Kho 3-0. Gavin went on to seal the match by beating Ibrahim by an impressive 0-3.

Team event, positions one to eight

We were now in a group with Singapore, Nigeria and England. Gavin, Stewart and Gerry played in our first match against Nigeria who showed their class and beat us 0-3.

Scotland fielded the same team for Friday mornings match against Singapore who beat us 3-0 although they fielded a very strong team of world ranked players: Ning Gao ranked 25; Zi Yang ranked 33; Xiao Li Cia ranked 140.

Friday afternoons match was against the old enemy which we would have been delighted to win but sadly we were forced to be gracious in defeat. Again Gavin showed his international quality winning both of his matches against Gavin Evans and Andrew Rushton 0-3, 2-3. Unfortunately though Stewart and I lost our matches so England were overall winners 3-2.

The play off was against Canada who we beat 3-2 giving us an impressive seventh final placing. This high finishing position was achieved by having great team moral, commitment and support of each other.

Men’s final

Singapore beat India 3-0 to win the team event.

Men’s singles, qualification

Stewart was in a group with Andre Ho (Can) and Manash Chowdhury (Ban) where he lost one, won one but went through on count back. Gerry played Pierre-Luc Hinse (Can) and Marios Yiangou (Cyp) in his group but although he lost both matches he performed very well. I won my match against Paul McCreery (Irl) (the old vets back!!) and lost against Kyle Davis (Aus) but failed to qualify.

Men’s singles, main draw

Stewart was drawn against the defending champion Sharath Kamal Achanta (Ind) a very tough draw for him. He put up a brave fight but couldn’t match the strength and consistency of the India who won 4-0 (8, 9, 5, 4).

Gavin was seeded 12 and was drawn against Gavin Evans (Eng) who he had already beaten in the team event which gave him some confidence. Gavin made great use of tactics during this match beating young Evans 4-2 (-7, 5, 8, 9, -8, 9). He was now into the last 16. His next match was shown live on Indian TV and was against Soumyadeep Roy (Ind) who he had also beaten in the team event. Gavin lost the first two sets, won the next two, lost the fifth but managed to came back and take the match 4-3 (winning the last set 11-9) – a very entertaining match all round. Impressively this win took him into the quarter finals making him the last British man standing.

His quarter final match was against Zi Yang (Sin) and this again proved highly entertaining to watch. Gavin imposed himself on this match but struggled to return Yangs serve. Gavin played an aggressive game at high tempo but lost 4-3 after seven ends leaving him one end away from finishing in a medal position.

Men’s and mixed doubles

Gordon and Gerry lost to Aruna Quadri and Seun Ajetunmobi (Ngr) 3-0.

Gavin and Stewart lost to Pierre-Luc Hinse and Ling Kun Yang (Can) 3-0.

Gavin and Rebecca Russell lost to Kiet Song and Peri Campbell-Innes (Aus) 3-1

Stewart and Corinna Whitaker lost to Muhd Shakirin Ibrahim and Lee Wei Beh (Mas) 3-0

Gerry and Catherine Symons lost to Kumar Gidla Jitendra and Soumi Mondal (Ind) 3-0

Gordon and Natasha Milliken lost to Pierre-Luc Hinse and Mo Shang (Can) 3-0

And so we headed home…

Although the team had enjoyed the championships nobody was looking forward to the daunting journey home. We all left with happy and some unusual memories in particular the doorman’s salute, the taxi journey and textile factory visit. Although Gavin had a successful championship his card playing skills were not quite so impressive!! And Stewart – unlucky in cards, lucky in love!

P.S. Gerry, learn some new card tricks for next time!

Gordon Clancey