Ross gets a victory playing Shug Rules
Ex-internationalist’s success in BoA championship
Former Scotland junior international Ross Vallance has admitted his delight at capturing Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s popular Shug Rules Championship.
Ross held off a powerful challenge from former Central Scotland county star Martin Sanchez, in a tense three-set final.
He was keen to pay tribute to club legend Hugh ‘Shug’ Gallagher who devised a unique abridged set of rules to create the competition.
Ross said: “The Shug Rules tournament has become arguably the most popular tournament at the club outside of the club championships and that is all down to Shug.
“He is a man who thinks deeply about his squash and I believe, with a little bit of help from Gordy McLachlan, they devised a set of rules regarding a back court game that rewards consistency and accuracy and so makes the game more amenable for all ages.
“I am just delighted to have come through and then had enough gas left in the tank to get the better of a wily campaigner like Marty Sanchez in the final.”
The final was a classic clash of Vallance’s trademark power game and the more subtle machinations of Sanchez, with the former prevailing in the deciding set after a roller-coaster best of three set encounter.
Competition creator Hugh Gallacher said: “It was great to see a full field of 16 guys all competing in a great spirit and the whole idea of this version of squash is that it is accessible to all ages and levels the field off in terms of movement.
“There’s no doubt the final was a fitting match to end the Shug Rules Championship for another year and I’d just like to thank everyone for taking part.”
Club president Walter McAllister admitted that the tournament, which is one of the most popular social days in the Minewood calendar, was also tinged with poignancy.
He said: “The great thing is that after the tournament everyone sits down for a curry and a refreshment and comes together.
“Sadly this year things were tinged with sadness at the passing of one of the club’s most popular and longstanding members Dan Marshall, and it was fitting we were able to pay tribute to him and raise a glass.”
This week, in the East of Scotland League’s the Richardson and Starling sponsored firsts travel to Division One champions Grange, the seconds are involved in a Division Three topof-the-table clash at Edinburgh Wolves, the thirds host Craigshill in Division Five and the ladies team are also in the capital at Edinburgh Sports Club.
Meanwhile Giffnock’s Kevin Moran won the battle of the Scotland internationals as he claimed the Central Scotland Open by coming from two sets down to beat Crieff’s Rory Stewart in an epic five set final at Minewood on Sunday that had a large crowd enthralled. Newlands Lisa Aitken claimed the ladies title.