Montrose player praised for leading Scotland back to Europe’s top flight

SQUASH: Montrose player clinches promotion to Europe’s top flight

Head coach Paul Bell was full of praise for Montrose’s Lisa Aitken as she helped Scotland earn promotion back to the top flight of European squash last week.

Aitken won all three of her matches at the European Team Championships in Wroclaw, Poland, as the Scots returned to Division One for the first time since 2012.

The 28-year-old displayed all her fighting qualities in the decisive semifinal rubber, turning around a 1-0 deficit to come through in four games, 11-9 6-11 2-11 5-11 against Finland’s Emilia Soini.

A leg injury kept her out of the Division Two final, which was won by Spain, but the silver medal meant it was mission accomplished for Scotland after two promotions in three years.

Bell said: “Lisa Aitken is a major part of the reason why we have been able to transition through the divisions quickly and get to the point where we will be in Division One next year.

“She helped us through the semifinals and picked up a little injury so that’s why she didn’t play in the final.

“It was a shame but she is such an experienced campaigner and adds so much to the team off and on court which is great for what is a very young squad.

“They will be more experienced in a year’s time and should be able to do something next year in Division One.

“England and France are the top two teams but there is nothing to be too scared of in the rest of the division.”

Perth’s Katriona Allen made her Scotland debut and Bell was pleased with her efforts adding: “She has worked really hard over the years to try and make the team so it was good to see that hard work pay off for her and she won her opening match.”

In the men’s event, Crieff’s Rory Stewart helped Scotland to finish fifth.

The 21-year-old won three of his four matches in Poland including the vital rubber against Wales on Saturday which helped seal fifth place.

Bell said: “Rory was our number four player for the first time after being a reserve in the past. He played in some important matches and the manner in which he performed was a positive sign for the future.

“We are in a bit of a transition period with the men’s team and it was time for the younger players to step up and they did that really well this year.”

Stewart stayed on in Poland and begins his title challenge at the Hasta La Vista Open in Wroclaw tonight.

The 21-year-old is seeded four this week and plays a qualifier in round one.