Schools’ squash compeition comes to Gala

On Wednesday 16th June, 2016, several pupils from Jedburgh Grammar School (JGS) and Galashiels Academy S1 and S2 gathered at Gala squash Club for the final of the inaugural Border’s Inter School Squash Championship. The JGS Team was Steven Dawson, James “Veg” Wieczysty, Kerry Munro and Daisy Findlay and representing Gala Academy were Blair Turner, Sean Easson, Paul Boggs, Ryan Goudie and Beth Logan.

The Girls’ Championship took the form of a round-robin between the three girls and the
opening rubber pitted the JGS girls Kerry and Daisy against each other, and in a close run match Daisy triumphed 2-0 (11-7, 11-9).  Kerry then took on Gala Academy’s Beth Logan and Beth won in a relatively quick 11-3, 11-2.  The final match was Beth v Daisy and although Beth ran out 2-0 (11-4, 11-2) it was a much closer match than the result suggested.  Gala Academy’s Beth Logan won the Girls Competition with 4 points,  Daisy Findlay (JGS) 2 points and Kerry Munro (JGS) 0 points.

The Boys tournament was straight knockout and there were some swashbuckling tussles between most of the players as they were pretty evenly matched across the board. The first Round opened with Gala Acad pair Paul Boggs and Blair Turner fighting out a 2-0 (11-4, 11-6) for Blair and Sean Easson and Steven Dawson in a titanic tussle which ended 2-0 for Sean (11-9, 11-8). Steven covered every inch of the court but long tight shots from Sean proved too strong for Steven. In the Semi-Finals James “Veg” from JGS also lost to Blair Turner 2-0 (11-2, 11-7) as Blair seemed to be improving game to game whilst Sean Easson conquered the older Ryan Goudie 2-0 (11-7, 11-5).

The Final was an All Gala Affair with Sean and Blair going hell for leather and producing some excellent squash and great movement.  Blair took the first game 13-11 as the scoring went tit-for-tat until Blair got the last point with a sensational drop shot.  The second game was just as intense and some long rallies were fought out and Sean just managed to hold on and take this one 11-9.  With the match locked at 1-1 and heading into a decider, both players were tiring and getting heavy on there feet.  This game produced less rallies and adrenalin took over, Sean got off to an explosive start and quickly took a 5-1 lead, and although Blair battled on bravely he just couldn’t get the gap back and Sean Easson won that game 11-6 to take the match, and championship, 2-1.

In the plate tournament the games were short and fast and the results were Ryan Goudie 11v4 Paul Boggs, Steven Dawson 11v4 Daisy Findlay, Ryan 11v5 Kerry Munro, Steven 11v6 Veg. THen the final was contested between Steven Dawson and Ryan Goudie, Steven managed to bring home the trophy with a stunning display in a 11-5, 11-9 victory and ensured JGS didn’t return home empty handed.

All entrants from JGS and Gala
All entrants from JGS and Gala
The day's trophies
The day’s trophies
The boy's champion
The boy’s champion Sean Easson
The girls champion Beth Logan
The girls champion Beth Logan
Daisy Findlay (JGS) struggling to get to grips with Beth's drop  shots.
Daisy Findlay (JGS) struggling to get to grips with Beth’s drop shots.
Ryan Goudie showing his dedication by keeping himself warm between matches.
Ryan Goudie showing his dedication by keeping himself warm between matches.
Plate winner
The plate winner Steven Dawson