BofA firsts keep Minewood Cup
Festive club clash for trophy with their second team
Bridge of Allan Sports Club first team retained the Minewood Challenge Cup, sponsored by Richardson and Starling - but only after a memorable festive clash with the club’s second team.
A composite first team had to come from behind after the seconds edged the early proceedings to take the lower order singles matches 4-1.
Seconds skipper Martin Jack was particularly impressive in routing out-of-shape Bert Mitchell, James Stewart proved too clinical for teenage talent Robbie Harper, Kyle Penman had just too much zip for Minewood warhorse Stevie McNally and Stewart Penman nudged President Walter McAllister in a five set rollercoaster.
But Scotland over-45 number one lady Sabine Mackenzie kept first team hopes flickering with a big-hitting 3-1 victory over West of Scotland under-15 champ Ben Orr and at number three former Scotland under-19 skipper Blair Christie started the fight back with a comprehensive straight sets despatch of a battling Martin Sanchez.
When No 2 Roddy Campbell came-from-behind to beat Andy Meldrum 3-1 it meant that the top of the order clash between club champ Andy MacBean and former under-17 number one James Dougan, who needed only a single game to land The Challenge Cup for the seconds for the first time, was going to prove decisive.
Yet it proved to be a MacBean masterclass as the Scotland over35 international drew brought home the festive bacon in a 3-0 win.
Afterwards, as he hoisted The Challenge Cup following its presentation by Walter McAllister, the BofA No 1 was fulsome in his praise of a great night’s action.
Andy said: “This was my first appearance in the match and I thought it was supposed to be a semifriendly but these second team came out firing and I was just relieved to get over the line as young James was throwing everything at me at the end.
Despite a tight-hamstring undermining his personal bid for glory, club President Walter McAllister hailed the 2017 Minewood Challenge Cup as the best yet.
Walter said: “It was an outstanding night of action which was laced with drama, tension and temper and I have no hesitation in saying the best Challenge Cup clash yet.