Rowan beats pal to become national squash champ
Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s Rowan Niven is a national squash champion after victory at the 2019 Joma Scottish Junior National Championships in Aberdeen.
The 13 year-old won the girls U15 title at Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club, with the No 2 seed defeating close friend and top seed Anna Halliday, also from Bridge of Allan, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7 in the round-robin event. Anna finished the tournament in the bronze medal position.
The result was a reverse of last year’s girls U13 final which Anna prevailed in and Rowan was delighted to get the better of her friend this time.
She said:“It felt amazing and was a great moment for me.
“I was really happy because it’s the first time in about three or four years I’ve beaten her.
“Anna and I are really close. We have been friends since we were two years-old and have been competing since primary school.
“We know each other’s game plans so well and it comes down to small things in the end.”
She added:“I have been practicing every day since Christmas. I was so determined to do well and get in the Scotland team for the European and Five Nations tournaments this year.”
There was further title glory for Bridge of Allan with Merryn Penman underlining her exciting potential once again by retaining her girls U11 title.
The youngster went unbeaten throughout the weekend to fully justify her top seed status, dropping just two games in four matches.
Her stand-out win was over the talented Ella Bannister on Saturday with Merryn winning an epic clash on showcourt seven 16-14, 11-8, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3.
Kyle claimed bronze in the boys U15 event thanks to a four game victory over Houston’s Findlay McDougall, 11-1, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.