Robbie’s top spin
BofA teenager wins trophy
Robbie Harper has become the first Bridge of Allan Sports Club player ever to be voted East of Scotland Squash Player of the Year.
The 17 year-old received his recognition at the league’s end of season awards dinner on Saturday.
Robbie’s award made up for the BofA thirds defeat by Edinburgh Sports Club in the tier two East KO Cup final held earlier in the day.
The Dunblane High School ace’s honour came at the end of a season in which he went all 22 matches undefeated as the thirds cruised to the East Division Five title.
Robbie said: “The award came as a complete surprise. To be the first Bridge of Allan player to win it in my final season before leaving for university was just a great way to end a brilliant season.
“I owe a lot of thanks to a lot of people for giving me the platform and I see it as much as recognition for the thirds as myself.
“Unfortunately we just failed to beat ESC to claim a league and cup double but it was still a fantastic campaign and a huge thanks to our skipper Stewart Penman for organising the team so well.”
While there was individual joy for Robbie, there was despair for the thirds. A seven-man squad headed for the capital to meet Watsonians Futures and a team comprising of Robbie, Bert Mitchell, Ben Orr, Ross Waddell and Jon Spinks claimed a 4-1 victory to make the final.
Veteran Mitchell was replaced by Scotland Under 13 No 1 Kyle Penman for the final but the Richardson and Starling sponsored side immediately found themselves behind after Jon lost in five and young Kyle lost in straight sets to the Scotland under-15 No 3.
Although Ben put his team back in the running with a comprehensive 3-0 win, Ross’ four-set loss put the cup beyond reach and in the dead rubber Robbie went down in five sets.
Skipper Penman said afterwards: “A huge thanks to everyone who was involved in the thirds this season. It was a real