RITCHIE EARNS SPOT AMONG SCOTS ELITE
Perthshire Hockey Club’s positive start to the National League Division Two has stepped up a notch.
The Fair City squad noted down their first away victory of the season this week following a 5-3 success against St Andrews University.
Little separated the sides in the opening stages but the students did hold a one goal advantage at half-time.
Shire showed their character, however, and early second-half goals from Lewis Pyke and Michael Robertson turned the game on its head.
Momentum was constantly changing and St Andrews bagged another couple to regain their lead.
The Perth men started to dominate possession and inform Robertson struck twice to secure a personal hat-trick.
And then Adam Czub converted a penalty stroke in the final minutes to seal the victory for Shire. RESULTS from Saturday: Men - St Andrews Uni 1sts 3 Perthshire 1sts 5, Grove Menzieshill 4ths 1 Perthshire 2nds 19, Grove Menzieshill 3rds 10 Perthshire 3rds 2. Sunday - Perthshire 2nds 1 Fidra Lions 3. Ladies result from Saturday - Grange 2nds 1 Perthshire 1st 2. Sunday - Perthshire 2nds 6 Clydesdale Western 4ths 3. WEEKEND FIXTURES: Men - Falkirk v Perthshire 1sts (away), St Andrews Uni 2nds v Perthshire 2nds (away), Perthshire 3rds v Madras (2.30pm at Kilgraston). Ladies - Uddingston v Perthshire 1sts (away), Dundee Uni 3rds v Perthshire 2nds (away), Dundee Uni 4ths v Perthshire 3rds (away). Perth tennis player Cameron Ritchie Perth’s Cameron Ritchie served up a treat to advance to the final stage of a new high-profile tennis tournament.
The 20-year-old will line up against the country’s best at Stirling University next month after an ace performance at the Tennis Scotland OpenTour.
Ritchie, competing in the TS 500 event at Craiglockhart in Edinburgh, defeated number one seed David Holmes 6-1, 6-0 to book his TS 1000 finale ticket.
Tennis Scotland has delivered the nationwide progressive tournament pilot to provide opportunities for players of all standards across Scotland.
Now the Kinnoull Tennis Club member could be facing off against the likes of Jonny O’Mara, from Arbroath, who played at Wimbledon this year.
“It was a tough weekend and I knew I needed to stay focused over the full two days at Craiglockhart,” Ritchie said.
“I had a very tight quarter-final after being down in both sets, not playing my best, but I knew if I managed to come through that my confidence would build.
“I am very excited and I feel that it is a great opportunity for me to compete against the very best in the country.”
Ritchie believes the introduction of the competition can only be positive for tennis in Scotland.
“I feel it is great,”he said.“It makes it a very accessible way for players to compete and compare themselves against others throughout the country.
“I would love to see more events like this. It is certainly an exciting concept and I would love to see how it can be developed further.
“I feel any competition improves your game.”
Ritchie’s latest win comes hot on the heels of an Aegon Team Tennis Scotland Division One triumph with Muirhall Terrace-based Kinnoull.
The Edinburgh University student fronted up the Fair City team of four and was delighted to help raise the club’s profile.
“I have really enjoyed my tennis this season and I feel this has led to success.You have to love what you do if you want to be successful,”he explained.
“With the group of players at my club and university, it definitely makes tennis a lot of fun.
“I also feel I have had more belief in my game and confidence in my ability than I have ever had so far this season — and this has shown in my results.
“It was incredible winning the Aegon league top division in Scotland. It was a real team effort and I feel we can go even further in that competition as well.
“It is the result of all Jane Morrison and Tommy Ogilvie’s hard work over the years at Kinnoull coaching.
“The fact that three generations of players made up the team says it all.
“It will definitely give a boost to Kinnoull after recent times with members falling and hopefully get more local people out playing.”
The Tennis Scotland Open Tour 1000 event takes place at Stirling University from November 10-12.