Unbeaten ladies host students
Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s ladies’ squash team will look to continue their four-month unbeaten run when they host Edinburgh University at Minewood this week.
The ladies, sponsored by The Birds and The Bees, handed out a 4-1 thrashing to Grange which hinged on a player of the night performance by Morgan McGuire at No 2 and captain Sabine Mackenzie is determined not to let standards fall against the students.
Sabine said:“It was a great team performance at Grange with fine victories from Morgan, Pauline Douglas, Rowan Niven and Catriana Smith and a great way to start 2020.
“Edinburgh University lost a tight 3-2 at Edinburgh Sports Club last week and they will be coming to us determined to get their first win of the year and particularly at the top of the order they have some real talent.
“But we have been consistent over the season so far and it’s up to us, particularly at home, to maintain these standards.”
Meanwhile the men’s firsts host title chasing Heriot Watt University in a meeting of fourth v second tomorrow (Thursday) after handing out a 4-1 thrashing to Colinton Castle that has cemented their fourth-place status.
Captain Iain Logan, an impressive straight sets winner, said:“At No.2 Kyle Penman had a fine straight sets victory and Fergus Richards was also in commanding form at the top of our order but without doubt the man of the match was Andy Meldrum who had to dig really deep to win an epic five setter.
“Now we have Heriot Watt University who are sitting second and engaged in a fight for the title and we know that is going to be a very tough night’s squash for us.”
In Division 2 the seconds slipped to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at ESC 5 but remain handily placed just three points off the promotion pace ahead of the visit tonight (Wednesday) of ESC 4.
Skipper Robin Bairner said:“The loss of Andy Meldrum to the firsts hit us hard and ultimately if we had been at full strength we would have won.
“But now we have to get back on the horse and make the most of home advantage tonight against Sports Club. With them sitting second but just 20 points in front of us a victory could be a really pivotal result for us.”
Elsewhere the thirds head to Division 3 leaders Grange 2 intent on handing their unbeaten hosts a first defeat of the season.
Captain Bert Mitchell, who is out through injury, said:“We have a strong team out which was not the case when we had Grange at Minewood in the first half and one that is very capable of edging it.
“I think there are a few points to prove through our order and I’m looking for a big performance at the top of the order from Jaimie Campbell.”
Meanwhile the fourths host Dunblane 1 in the semi-final of the McLaren Cup tonight.
(ROVERS WON 5-3 ON PENS)
Cambusbarron Rovers reached their 10th East of Scotland Cup semifinal but the crowd had to endure a penalty shoot out when a spirited Tollcross Thisle came back to score two late goals to force extra time.
Early on it was an even game and the first real chance came in the seventh minute when Rovers’ Calum McLaren had a fine shot which the Thistle keeper tipped over the bar.
Tollcross has a couple of free kicks but didn’t trouble Rovers debutant keeper Greg McGuiness until in the 26th minute he produced a fine save .
The home side went in front shortly after when McLaren’s cross was handled by a Tollcross defender. Chris Hendry saw his spot kick saved but he ran in to put away the rebound.
Five minutes later Tollcross were reduced to 10 men when they had a player sent off for a dangerous challenge on Kyle Allison.
After the break, Rovers pushed forward and McLaren had a good effort well saved by