Victory sees first team up to third

Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s squash firsts head to Edinburgh tonight (Wednesday) knowing that victory over ESC 1 will cement their third place in the top flight and turn the heat up on the East Division 1 frontrunners.

Skipper Iain Logan, who produced a captain’s knock to win an epic five-set decider, was delighted with the hard fought 3-2 victory for his Birds and The Bees sponsored side at home to Watsonians last Thursday that took the Minewood men to a new league high.

But now he wants more of the same against the capital club.“The victory against Watsonians was certainly an night of epic squash.

“Fergus Richards lost a fantastic five setter at the top of the order that had those watching absolutely enthralled with the standard of shot play and retrieving. Roddy Campbell claimed an excellent four set victory and young Kyle Penman continued his squash education with a fantastic five-setter over the former Scotland A international Richard MacIntosh.

“Chris Turlik was unlucky to lose in four sets and I was really happy to get the job done at number three.

“But now we must build on that fine win.”

There was disappointment for the seconds who lost 3-2 at Colinton Castle and will now look to bounce back at home to Waverley 1 at Minewood.

The thirds got back to winning ways with a 4-1 thrashing of Waverley 2 and travel to Kirkcaldy knowing that victory could take them into the promotion placings if results elsewhere go their way.

Captain Bert Mitchell, a straight sets winner, said: “Probably the performance of the night came from Sabine Mackenzie who won in five sets but it was also good to see Marty Sanchez coming back to his best and at No 1 Gordon Marshall took his unbeaten run to five games.”

The ladies team continued their unbeaten start in the top tier with a fine 4-1 win at ESC that has stretched their lead at the top to 23 points and has taken their run to six matches.

Acting skipper Karen Robertson, a straight sets winner, said:“It was a fine victory and one with some really impressive performances especially from Sabine Mackenzie, Lucy Murchie and Morgan McGuire .

“Now we have our nearest challengers Edinburgh University at Minewood and it’s vital we maintain these levels.”

In the Crieff and District League the fourths suffered their first defeat when they went down 5-0 to title favourites Mariner.

Ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Crieff skipper Ross Hunter remains upbeat.

“Mariner are a strong side full of quality and experience and we had four juniors playing in Anna Halliday, Rowan Niven, Ross Waddell and Ross Hunter and they will all have learned a lot while Gregor Gillon was really unlucky to lose a humdinger of a five setter.”