Challenge deemed to be a big success
Club president’s enthusiasm over summer trophy
Bridge of Allan Sports Club president Walter McAllister has hailed the inaugural Minewood Padel Challenge Trophy a roaring success.
The summer challenge match between the club’s squash and tennis sections on the neutral ground of the club’s Padel Court, the only one in Central Scotland, produced a 5-2 win for the squashers.
But with several talented kids taking part in a clash that was very much for all ages, the president is confident that the Padel Challenge match will go on to become a fixture of the club’s summer season.
Walter said: “In any rackets club there is always a bit of rivalry between the tennis and squash sections and it is at the same at Minewood.
“Our tennis convener Clare Woodward came up with the idea of having a challenge match on the neutral ground of the Padel Court. It was fascinating to see how the different techniques of squash and tennis were adapted to suit the Padel court but also great to have so many of our youngsters involved.”
The day was rounded off with an exhibition match featuring two of Central Scotland’s top coaches Adam Brown and Sam McNeill.
Tennis convener Clare said that a post mortem would follow in the tennis section after their surprise defeat.
“It was a great match, played in really good spirits and one we have been left scratching our heads as to how we lost!”
She added: “I can promise the squashers it will be a different result next time!”
Her squash counterpart Bert Mitchell admitted that his team were lucky to win: “I think we were quite fortunate in that we had a good few old heads who play quite a bit of Padel and we paired up well and made the most of that experience.
“The problem we will have is that next summer we will all be a bit older and creaking even more while the youngsters in the tennis section like Abbie Woodward, Joe Goodall and Ava Mitchell will all be that bit better, so we will enjoy this success while we can!”