Club enjoys a feast of action
End of season tourney is a nail-biter
The curtain came down on the domestic squash season at Bridge of Allan Sports Club on Friday, with the club championship finals’ night providing a feast of high quality lung-bursting action.
The Minewood club has a new men’s champion, with Scotland over-35 international Andrew Macbean deposing defending champion Scott Mosely after a rollercoaster four-set affair where the new champ had to come back from a game down.
In the ladies event, Sabine Mackenzie, the Scotland over-45 No 1, once again reasserted her stranglehold with an all-consuming straight sets victory over a determined Sheena Logan.
New men’s title winner Andrew was keen to underline his pride at joining some of the BofA legends who have won the championship like Scotland internationals Costas Yarrow and John McGhee.
He said: “I used to come here as a junior and all the top junior internationalists were from Bridge of Allan. Some legends have played here and, to be quite honest, I’m not sure I’m worthy of it.
“That said it’s one of the proudest moments of my squash career and I’d just like to pay tribute to Scott Mosely for making me fight all the way and making it a good final.”
He added: “I also want to say a big thank you to the sponsors Richardson and Starling and to Walter McAllister, the club president, for running a great tournament seamlessly and to everyone at Minewood for making me, as a new member, feel so welcome.”
Ladies champion Sabine was delighted to take her title-run to four championships in succession and said: “I’m delighted to keep my run going and credit to Sheena who proved a worthy opponent. But I think the strength in depth in the jadies championship augurs really well for next season.
“We also have a lot of really good young talent coming through and the future is looking brighter than bright at BofA.”
Scottish champion Sabine also took the ladies over-40s with a 3-0 victory over a determined Karen Robertson.
Scotland over-50 international Martin Sanchez collected both the men’s over-40s and 50s with his court craft and guile, seeing off a determined Martin Jack in the former and Scotland age group legend John Rae in the latte, with John claiming the over-60s title by seeing off club president Walter McAllister in three sets.
Walter said: “What made this club championship so interesting was the breakthrough of so many youngsters and that was underlined by Ross Waddell winning the Most Improved Player at just 15.
“A big thanks to everyone who competed and to James Stewart from our sponsors Richardson and Starling for presenting the trophies.”