Second team waits to see if title is theirs

BY RJ MITCHELL

Bridge of Allan Sports Club’s squash second team, sponsored by The Birds and Bees, have gone top of the East of Scotland Second Division with the season reaching its final furlong.

A 4-0 thumping of hapless Heriot Watt University seconds took the Minewood men three points clear of Watsonians I who have a game in hand this week while the Bofa side, who have now completed their card have to wait it out to see if they have won the title.

With ESC 5 17 points adrift of his side with one game left to play skipper Martin Jack is delighted with a guaranteed second placed finish.

He said:“we have to accept that with Watsonians finishing their card this week with a home game against Grange 2 they are big favourites to get the required points to win the title.

“But given they are a first team they were always likely to be in there at the death and given the level of injury we have had to put up with and all the other disruptions with Covid etc, second place is a very creditable finish.

“So I’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has pulled on a Bridge of Allan shirt over the course of the campaign and showed real commitment to the cause over what has been a very challenging season and also thank our sponsors the Birds and Bees for their continued patronage.”

Meanwhile the first team lost 10-7 on games countback to ESC1 after a 2-2 draw in a defeat that has effectively consigned their title hopes to the bin.

Despite an impressive top of the order victory for No.1 Fergus Richards against Jamie Henderson in a five-game epic and a similarly impressive win for James Dougan at No.2, skipper Robin Bairner lost in straight games at No.3 and Colin Fawkes went down 3-1 at No.4.

Disappointed captain Bairner said: “It was a disappointing defeat but we were understrength with young Kyle Penman being out .

“But it is all about making home advantage count against Heriot Watt University firsts this week.”

There was frustration for the ladies, who are on the cusp of defending their East Division One title, after their match with Edinburgh University first team was postponed until April 25.

Skipper Sheena Logan said:“it was unfortunate but we have two games left with ESC and Edinburgh University.

“What is vital is that we make sure we win against ESC and go into the final match with the students in as strong a position as we can.”