Squash hero Pete takes on old rival
Bridge of Allan player to face Scotland number 3
Squash star Peter O’Hara has admitted that he will have his work cut out when he faces Scotland number three Dougie Kempsell.
The pair will meet in a muchanticipated clash at the top of the order as Bridge of Allan firsts host East of Scotland division one leaders Edinburgh Sports Club tomorrow night.
O’Hara was in impressive form as he despatched Allan Tasker in four tight sets as the Bridge of Allan firsts went down 3-2 to Dalgety Bay, with club champion Scott Mosely the only other winner on a disappointing night out for the Richardson & Starlingsponsored side last time out.
But with Kempsell having just won a major tournament on the PSA tour in France, the former Scotland international is anticipating a tough night: “Douglas is a good friend of mine but on the court that goes out the window and my victory over Allan Tasker was a good platform into this one.
“Obviously he is climbing the world rankings inside the top 100 and has just won a big title in France but I’m looking forward to testing myself against him.”
Kempsell is looking forward to treading the boards at Minewood.
He said: “‘First of all I’d like to say it’s great to have a club with such great squash history like Bridge of Allan in the East Leagues.
“But I’m really looking forward to playing Pete O’Hara. He is quite an inspiration for me and a great credit to himself that at 43 he is still competing at such a high level and giving Scotland’s best a good run for their money and Peter’s love for the game and its future is something to be credited.
“The last time we played in the National League, last season Peter was struggling with injury so that one wasn’t really a fair reflection. But I’m sure tomorrow night the real Peter O’ Hara will step on court with all guns firing!”
Meanwhile the Bridge of Allan Seconds, sponsored by Richardson & Starling, will host Dunfermline tonight as they bid to close the 18 point gap on leaders Edinburgh Sports Club 5.
Dirtrackers captain Bert Mitchell believes his side have the right blend of youth and experience: “We go into this one on the back of a solid victory at Dalgety Bay and now it’s vital that we keep the pressure on the leaders with a maximum 18 point haul against Dunfermline,” said Mitchell.
Elsewhere the BofA thirds travel to Grange tomorrow night determined to climb off the foot of the division five table.
Skipper Neil Mackenzie said: “We had another near miss against Colinton Castle 5 last week with fine wins for Walter McAllister at the top of the order and Stewart Penman, who had an epic five set victory at number two, but sadly we just couldn’t get the other victory we needed to get over the line.
“But that has only served to make us even more determined to get the win at Grange tomorrow that we need to move away from the bottom of the table.”
The BofA Ladies team will host Waverley with skipper Sheena Logan hungry for home success.
Sheena said: “There are only three points between us and Waverley and they are bottom so this is a really pivotal game for both teams. So it’s vital we make the most of home advantage to increase the gap on Waverley.”