Dougie rethinks trip Down Under
BoA win reignites Commonwealth flame
Scotland No 3 Dougie Kempsell has admitted his victory in the Bridge of Allan Gold tournament at the weekend has left him rethinking his decision to call time on his bid to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games in Australia later this year.
The Edinburgh Sports Club ace saw off Crieff’s Scotland number four Rory Stewart 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 in a match in which Kempsell’s immaculate width in reply to Stewart’s front court attack proved pivotal. Now Dougie says it could be a case of never say never when it comes to a place on the plane for Australia.
“Recently I took the decision to take a step away from the tour to pursue a career as a chef, so you could say that to come back and win the BofA Gold tournament has left me with food for thought!” joked the Edinburgh man.
He added: “Seriously, I did take the decision to make myself unavailable for the Commonwealth Games.
“But now my tourney record reads played one won one and maybe it’s a case of never say never, we will have to see.
“I’m just delighted to have come through such a high-quality field and collected a whole sheaf of ranking points for the quest to make the European Championships team and we will see what happens after that.”
In the ladies’ championships Scottish national champion Georgia Adderley claimed the title with a fine straight sets victory over No 2 seed Katriona Allen.
A delighted Georgia said: “I’m really chuffed to have won the title and to have beaten some really good opponents like Katriona and Elspeth Young in the process.
“Obviously there is still plenty of squash to be played before the teams are announced, but to win a prestigious title like the Bridge of Allan Gold is a huge step towards my ultimate ambitions regarding the Commonwealth Games.”
On a frantic weekend of squash action at Minewood Pavilion there was a notable home triumph when Bridge of Allan first team stalwart and former club champ Roddy Campbell claimed the Men’s Gold B by beating Glasgow University’s Finlay Nelson 11-3, 11-2, 12-10 in the final.
Campbell’s high-tempo all-court game proved irresistible despite a tense final game that went to the tie break and he said afterwards: “Nothing beats winning on your home boards and I think my wife might allow me a small glass of red in celebration!”