Thirds’ unbeaten record on the line
Minewood outfit determined to dig deep
The third team at Bridge of Allan Sports Clubwill put the Minewood outfit’s only unbeaten record on the line when they head to leaders Watsonians IV tonight (Wednesday) in an East of Scotland Squash Division Four clash.
In a disappointing two-week spell, the Allanwater Brewhousesponsored club has seen setbacks for the first, second and ladies teams, but the thirds have battled on and despatched Dean 4-1 at Minewood last week to close the gap to Watsonians to 11 points with a game in hand.
The victory was marred by a back injury to veteran Bert Mitchell who will miss the top of the table tussle at Myreside but skipper Stewart Penman remains bullish.
Stewart said: “This is the big one for us and everyone is really up for it. We are delighted to welcome back Ben Orr who stepped up for the firsts last week and that will offset the injury suffered by Bert.
“Ben has been playing superbly and recently won the Central Squash Junior Open at under-17 level against some of the best talent in Scotland.
“We are also welcoming back Robbie Harper – who was last season’s East of Scotland Player of the Year on the back of an unforgettable unbeaten season – for his first start of the campaign and that is a huge plus going in against the league leaders.
“This is our most important match of the season and I’m delighted to be able to field almost our strongest side for it.”
Meanwhile, the first team entertain ESC3 at Minewood tomorrow (Thursday).
Captain Iain Logan said: “We are starting a sequence of three home fixtures and it’s vital that we make the most of these.
“We were unlucky to have lost to leaders ESC1 and on another night we may have sneaked it had we been able to field our club champion Andy MacBean.
“But we are still just about in touching distance of them and if we can get the win tonight and build on it in our next two home games the table could look a lot better for us.”
The seconds have slumped to second bottom in the table and face a daunting encounter with unbeaten leaders ESC1 which skipper Robin Bairner admits could be painful.
“We know it will be a big ask but the boys will just have to dig deep,” said Robin. “Our season will not be decided by our matches against ESC1 but any points we can pick up could be really valuable.”
The ladies side host Edinburgh Sports Club 1 in an encounter they must take maximum points from if they are to close the 14-point gap on leaders Edinburgh University.
Skipper Sheena Logan said: “We have been hit a bit of late due to unavailability and illness and the depth of our team is being stretched to full capacity.
“But hopefully we can overcome that to get the victory we need.”