Bridge of Allan face must-win tie in league
Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s first team, sponsored by the Birds and Bees consolidated their position in second place of the East of Scotland division one ahead of tomorrow night’s must win visit of ESC 1.
A fine 3-1 victory, which saw No.1 Fergus Richards bounce back from his disappointing defeat in the Scottish Squash BOASC Senior Gold tournament at Minewood last weekend, and victories posted by both Kyle Penman and James Dougan saw only skipper Robin Bairner losing in the capital.
Ahead of the must win meeting with the men from the East, Bairner was in no mood to underestimate the importance of a home win: “We were delighted to get the win at Colinton and with only one defeat in the secondhalf of the season we are consistently producing our best form which is really satisfying,” said Bairner.
He added: “That said with Simon Boughton at the top of the order for ESC1 and the depth of quality they have to pick from we know that it will be a real tester of our hopes, just as it is every time we play Edinburgh Sports Club firsts.”
Meanwhile in division two an emphatic 4-0 victory for the seconds over Grange seconds took the Minewood side fourth before tonight’s trip to Edinburgh to face Grange 3.
Captain Martin Jack, an impressive 3-0 winner, says his side, who are just 12 points adrift of leaders ESC 5, are hitting form at exactly the right time: “Before the season started Grange 2 were many people’s favourites for the second division title so this was a really pleasing win, especially with two of the matches going to the fifth game.
“I’d especially like to mention Andy
Meldrum who came through in an epic final game tie-break 17-15 and Chris Turlik whom also prevailed over five games and both guys are really coming back to their best, after injury issues, when it matters most.
“Also young Ollie Hunter (pictured) was very impressive at no.1 in posting a 3-0 victory just a few days after having to pull out of the BOASC Gold tournament with illness.
“When you consider Jamie Campbell was out with Covid this was a big win and now we need to go to Grange 3 tonight and hopefully do the double over their two second division sides.”
In Ladies Division One BOASC hammered Waverley to stretch their lead at the top of the women’s top tier to 17 points.
Skipper Sheena Logan was delighted with her side ahead of their meeting with Grange firsts: “It was great to freshen up the side by rotating our squad and bring back in Karen Robertson and Catriona Smith who both won 3-0 while at the top of the order Sabine Mackenzie and Katy Temple also both won in straight games.
“This week we have a tricky match at third-placed Grange but having opened up a 17-point gap at the top we must keep the foot on the accelerator.”