Linlithgow 3s 15-5 Border Reivers
Ruaridh Kohler 0-3 Ross Ferguson
Ruaridh was making his first appearance of the season for the Border Reivers; although was no stranger to team squash having had caps in previous seasons and regularly playing for Stewarts Melville Old Boys in clubs around Edinburgh.
Kohler started well, using his trade mark Boast to wrong foot Ferguson and win several points. Ferguson seemed a bit sluggish off the mark but his accurate shots made up for it and Ferguson won the first 15-12.
The second game was marred by several contentuous referee decisions, Kohler felt his opponent was getting strokes for 50/50 calls and this upset the Borderer so much that he couldn’t focus on the game, this happened on several shots and both players lost their eye through it but Ferguson held up for 15-10.
Both players were tense and had lost concentration, the match had lost it’s flow and there was still some niggles in the third game when Ferguson would stop and claim lets on several shots he could have reached. Kohler just never regained concentration and lost 15-10.
Del Sharratt 0-3 Tim Jones
Sharratt found it difficult to find any rhythm in this match, although Sharratt felt he was easily a match for Jones, Jones seemed to win all the close rallies and dominate the court. Sharratt struggled to find tight shots and although here were some decent rallies the Linlithgow boy made the match lookeasier than it actually was. It was a decisive 15-12, 15-9, 15-10 victory in the end.
Piers Wilkinson 2-3 John Smith
This was a classic squash match and the tie of the match. Wilkinson was making his debut for the Reivers; but had previous experience in higher Leagues with The Grange in previous seasons. John smith had played in the West Leagues most of the season with Loch Leven but was turning out for his home club Linlithgow in this tie. Smith had the fastest shot of the teams and Wilkinson had to keep on his toes to rach the ball before the shot past him, although Wilkinson used the back wall repeatedly to let the ball come back to him before playing it and this made for a good skilful match. Smith proved too fit and powerful in the first game and took Wilkinson a bit by surprise, although the Borderer Battled well it went 15-8 to Smith. In the second game Piers was getting to know John’s style, and although John still played tight fast shots, Piers found he could return them better; John made a couple of silly errors and his head went down a bit, Piers took it 15-12. Almost nothing could separate the players in the third game, as it turns into an exhilliarating tie. Wilkinson actually came from 11-8 down to win 15-13 a lot of this due again to Smith making a silly error and beating himself up about it. In the fourth game Wilkinson seemed to get to everything until he was 11-8 up, then a poor serve from Piers let Smith back in and in no time Smith was suddenly 12-11 up and everything he played was tight – this was remeniscant of the first game and Wilkinson had no reply as Smith triumphed 15-11. At 2-2 Smith came out the blocks running and seemed to miss nothing as he dominated the court and Wilkinson found no way past Smith, Smith won 15-10.
Pat Spence 0-3 Ashley Mears
Reivers Vice-captain Spence showed his dedication to the team as he had drove to the match straight from Edinburgh Airport having just flew in half an hour before kick off. Ashley, who has been Linlithgow Ladies Champion on several occasions may not have the power of Pat but had the knack of slow placed shots that were unretrivable. Spence did miss the ball on several occasions and mad some uncharacteristic errors, may have been due to fatigue from the flight. But all credit to Mears who proved why she merits a place in the Linlithgow team with a comprehensive 15-10, 15-8, 15-8 victory.
Tony Elliot 3-0 Richard Kent
Tony was at his best during this match and won 15-7, 15-5, 15-10 and although Kent ran every inch of the court and didn’t show signs of wearying, Elliot was just too good on the night; although Kent got close in the third game, Elliot always had a higher gear in reserve if he needed it. But Elliot was never really under threat and got the Reivers only victory of the night.
Captain Del Sharratt commented “Linlithgow 3s are one of the strongest teams we’ve faced this season; my tam was depleted due to injuries and Pat should be Commended on his commitment for playing for the team Straight from his flight! Hopefully some of the regulars will be back next week for the home tie against Kirkaldy and we can get back to winning ways.”