Squash starlet Bertie takes national title
Eight-year-old Bridge of Allan ace storms to victory
A new Bridge of Allan squash star was born at the Scottish National Squash Championships in Aberdeen when Bertie Wood claimed the Scotland Under 11 title.
The club’s starlets were at the forefront of the Central Scotland Colts contingent who headed up north and it was the eight year-old who stole the show when he upset the seedings to dispatch the top ranked player in his age group 3-0, despite conceding over two years in age advantage.
Junior convener Allison Penman was glowing in her praise of young Bertie.
Allison said: “Bertie played really well and showed such tremendous composure and focus for one so young throughout the final and through some really gruelling, long the rallies.
“He shows an understanding of the game that belies his young age.”
Representing Central in the girls under 13s was Rowan Niven (Dunblane) who had a fantastic tournament to finish fifth.
In the boys under-13s, Bridge of Allan’s Kyle Penman was best finisher in fifth, Alistair Finlay was sixth, Rory Campbell ninth, Oliver Hunter 14th, Felix Wood 17th and Bertie Wood 20th.
The boys under-15s saw Bridge of Allan third team player Ross Waddell finished a creditable 10th, but Niall Baxter finished lower down the field after suffering from a series of frustrating byes after some competitors withdrew from the competition at short notice.
At the boys under-17 level, Bridge of Allan duo James Dougan and Robbie Harper competed in a strong field to finish eighth and 17th respectively.
Meanwhile, Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s men’s teams sponsored by Richardson and Starling - had mixed fortunes with the firsts going down in a tight 3-2 to Watsonians in a division one match.
In division three the Minewood seconds posted a crunching 5-0 victory at Heriot Watt University to guarantee their promotion with four fixtures left to play while in division five, the thirds just came up short 3-2 against Bank of Scotland but were still celebrating as they came off the foot of the fifth tier for the first time this term.
The ladies lost a tight 3-2 at Minewood to Grange to remain rooted to the foot of the first division.