BofA can stay up despite defeat
Minewood outfit determined to beat the drop
Fired up Fergus Richards believes Bridge of Allan Seconds can still pull off a miracle to climb out of the East Division One relegation placings and beat the drop.
The 21–year old produced his best squash of the season to pull off an impressive four set victory over Scottish squash legend Simon Broughton in an epic four set victory at Minewood that hinged on successive tie breaks in the middle of a meeting that will linger long with those that were lucky enough to view it.
But Fergus’ heroics weren’t enough to stop the Seconds slipping to their fifth loss from six starts, leaving the side just seven points above back markers Waverley.
Now Fergus and his not so merry men head to leaders ESC1 tonight (Wednesday) determined not to sing the blues.
“On a personal note it was great to get the win over a player of Simon’s class and I was pleased at how the adjustments in my short game played their part in it,” said Fergus.
He continued: “That said it’s vital we start to pick up more points on the road if we are to haul ourselves clear of the drop zone. We have three games before the Christmas break starting tonight at ESC. Then the crucial one when we host Waverley at Minewood and finish up versus Heriot Watt University and we must do everything we can to win two of these three.”
Meanwhile the first team kept their slim title hopes alive with a 4–1 thumping of ESC3 that took them to within 17 points of leaders ESC1.
With Dougie Kempsell, club champ Andy MacBean, skipper Iain Logan and Blair Christie all winning and Roddy Campbell pipped in a titanic five–setter the smile was back on the face of captain Logan, who said: “Quite simply this was a must win match for us and the difference made by having Andy MacBean back in the side was pivotal to that.
“We have Grange at home on Thursday and if we can post another convincing win from that then the league table could make very interesting reading by close of play.”
Elsewhere the club’s only unbeaten run came to an end when the thirds went down 3–2 at Watsonians in the division four top of the table clash at Myreside.
The thirds ranks were decimated by injury and illness in the build up with number one Bert Mitchell crocked with a back injury, number two Ben Orr forced out by a migraine and Robbie Harper forced to play through the pain barrier with tonsillitis.
The Bridge of Allan Ladies side returned to winning ways with a tight 3–2 defeat of Grange that has cemented their second placed status ahead of their trip to sixth place ESC1.