Border Reivers 5-15 Heriot Watt 3s
Del Sharratt 3-0 Jorge Gomez
A polished performance by Del ensured the Reivers opened with a victory. Del seemed to find total performance in all areas, movement, drop shots, full length sots, boasts. Everything seemed to click for Del at the same time and Jorge had no reply. Even when the Student got the Hand back Del’s returns would go exactly where he wanted them and Jorge couldn’t find any momentum; Sharratt won 15-6, 15-8, 15-7.
Graham Bensted 0-3 Josie Wishart
This was the same result as last season, the younger fitter student was just to fast for the seasoned veteran. Bensted boasted a strong powerful serve but once they got into the rallies it was the fitness of Wishart that shone through and the student took his 15-8, 15-8, 15-9.
Pat Spence 1-3 Euan Hurter
Euan Hurters skill and ability on the court took Spence a wee bit by surprise, this was Spence’s toughest game to date. The young student – like his compatriots had excellent stamina and speed. Hurter flew to a 15-6 vicroty in the first game. Spence – who boasts 40 years of experience on the court changed his game in the second, Spence made Hurter move off the T-line more and varied his shots to keep Hurter guessing and this worked for Spence 15-13. In the third game Euan again dominated the rallies, Pat still made the student run about but the youngster didn’t seem to tire and a close game went 15-11 to Hurter; the fourth game seen Spence tire slightly and drop his racket head causing some errors and Heriot Watt took this 15-8 for 3-1.
Amir Hosny 0-3 Peter Weston
Hosny, who was used to 3-2 games in the league came up against a former League 2 player in Peter Weston, Although Amir was equal in fitness and speed, Peter proved why he was capable of playing in the higher leagues and won through quite comfortably 15-3, 15-3, 15-5.
Tony Elliot 1-3 Bruno Shaw
Although Heriot Watt had wrapped up the victory in the previous rubber, Elliot had an undefeated record to think about and this was in no way a pointless match. Tony Elliot won the first 15-11 in what was a tough opener, the rallies were fast and Elliot found himself on the back foot in a lot of the rallies. Bruno Shaw, who’s record boasted competitive matches against Scotland Internationals Kevin Moran and Rory Stewart; was on his way back from a Cruciate Ligament injury and hence why he wasn’t yet picked for Heriot Watt’s higher teams. Bruno’s fitness didn’t seem to be in doubt though and this was a highly exciting match which drew all the other players as spectators. Bruno took the second 15-9 and it was looking like he could turn it up anytime he liked. But Elliot gave a good show of himself, but just wasn’t getting his shots as tight as he needed and Bruno would have space and time to play a shot of his choosing. The rest of the game was close and Elliot lost his first match in League 5 by 3-1 (11-15, 15-9, 15-13, 9-15)
Gala Captain Del said “That is the strongest team we have met in League 5, we came into this on theback of two decent victories and moral was high. Bruno and Western are arguably the two best players in the league, and I can’t fault my boys for effort.”