Top show at Welsh Open
Coach delighted with Junior talent
Central Scotland Development Squad interim coach Jane Martin is delighted by her charges promising showing at the Welsh Junior Open.
A strong contingent from the region made the trek to Cardiff for the opening elite level junior competition of the new season which is a European Grand Prix Event.
Former world number eight Jane, who is also head coach at Bridge of Allan Sports Club, and has stepped up to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Phil McWilliams, said: “It was a great start to the season for our juniors with some good results, fine performances from our group of Kyle Penman, Rowan Niven, Anna Halliday, Oliver Hunter and Merryn Penman.
“All of the kids performed credibly with Merryn fourth in the girls under–11 our highest placing. But Oliver produced some fine squash to take 11th place in a draw of 20, Anna was outstanding in claiming seventh spot in the girls under–15 and Rowan just behind her in 11th while Kyle was 10th in a 34– draw at under-15 which was the biggest and arguably strongest in the competition.
“So that was a fantastic foundation for the kids to build on.”
Jane added: “But we also had a very positive showing at Colinton Castle where our older group of Ben Orr, Lucy Murchie and Alistair Finlay were competing. So it’s been a busy start to the new season and the kids really are back with a bang.”
Meanwhile, the Bridge of Allan ladies squash team will start the competitive season off when they travel to Heriot Watt University and skipper Sheena Logan is determined to get off to a winning start.
Sheena said: “After finishing third last season we are determined to build on that and really make a consolidated challenge for the first division title. What ultimately cost us dear was our poor start to the season and it’s vital that we don’t repeat that this time around.
“But we have our strongest side of Sabine Mackenzie, Lucy Murchie, Karen Robertson, Maureen Carroll and myself out and everyone is really excited to get going again.”