The Border Reivers 2s faced a formidable challenge as they ventured to the coastal town of Dunbar in their latest East Leagues match. Aware of Dunbar’s reputation for harbouring some of the league’s strongest players, the Border Reivers knew they were in for a tough contest on the squash courts.
The match kicked off with Nick Jupp facing off against the much-anticipated debutant, 15-year-old Callum Scott. Jupp, initially caught off guard by the young prodigy, quickly adjusted his strategy. Despite Scott’s impressive opening game victory at 15-12, Jupp regained control, securing the next three games 15-2, 15-6, 15-12.
In a closely contested battle, Jimmy Munro of the Border Reivers managed to snatch the first game against Norman Lazonby with a shrewd drop shot, taking it 16-14. However, the heat on the courts played into Lazonby’s hands, allowing him to capitalize on the conditions and secure the next three games 15-12, 15-6, 15-7.
The Border Reivers’ Darren Quinn, despite putting up a valiant effort, couldn’t overcome the seasoned James Cunningham. The 3-0 victory for Cunningham (15-6, 15-8, 15-6) reflected his experience and accurate squash, although Quinn had more than held his own in the tightly contested tie.
Richard Taylor’s clash against Pete Western was an exciting affair, with both players showcasing their skills. Although the scores seemed comprehensive at 15-4, 15-5, 15-4, the match was filled with tight drives and quick drops, providing an entertaining spectacle. However, Western’s consistency secured him the win, maintaining his unbeaten record against the Borderers and sealing the overall victory for Dunbar.
Del Sharratt faced the formidable Andrew Binikos in a bid to salvage a point for the Border Reivers. Despite Sharratt’s commendable effort, Binikos proved to be the superior player, clinching the match with a 3-0 victory (15-3, 15-4, 15-6).
With a final score of 4-1 and 16-4 in favor of Dunbar, the Border Reivers acknowledged the strength of their opponents. Grateful not to have suffered a whitewash, the Border Reivers now look ahead to a home tie against Grange 4s in the upcoming week. Despite the setback, the Border Reivers remain determined to regroup and stage a comeback in their pursuit of success in the East Leagues.