The Ladies Championship concluded with ormer Runner Up Pamela Inglis facing off against Debutant Victoria Cassidy, Victoria only joined the Club at the back end of last year and was excited about making the final.
It was a nervy start for both players as a lot of loose shots made for long rallies as each player tried to out wit the other. There wasn’t much to separate the players in the first game, Victoria just got the rub of the ball and the better of the 50/50 rallies to take the first game 15-8. This seemed to spurn Victoria on and she started the second game with renewed vigour and started playing some tight shots, Pamela was just as determined and no lack of effort was evident in this game, Victoria’s tight to the wall shots were decisive and this was 15-4 for Victoria. In the Third game, Victoria had found her mojo and almost couldn’t miss a thing as she motored off to a 9-0 lead before a loose shot hit the tin and gave the serve to Pamela. But Victoria hasd the momentum and took the third 15-2 for a resounding 3-0 victory. Victoria was delighted to have won the Championship at her first attempt and is hopeful for many more triumphs at the club.
The Gents Championship Final was a repeat of last years with Tony Elliot and Colin Woodward having swept everyone else aside to contest the final. Last year Tony won his 8th title with a 3-1 victory, and the pair have had many close tussles over the last year.
Colin came out the blocks like a Gazelle and it was obvious he meant business and wanted the title. Tony started slowly and the tension of the occasion meant Tony made some uncharacteristic mistakes as he tried to settle into the match. Woodward took the First game 15-8 and he was dead set at beong the first person in the club to win a competitive match against Tony. But losing the first game just brought the best out of Tony and with his usual focus and resilience Tony ran up a 12-0 lead as the errors from the first game were gone and Tony wanted to re-establish his superiority Tony took it 15-2 and was in control of the match. The third and fourth games both players had totally settled into the run of the game and played some terrific squash that the audience could only dream of playing. The games were split and after 40 minutes of play the match was tied 2-2 and into a decider. Tony took the bull by the horns and ran up a 5-0 lead before Colin could trouble the scorer and even though both players tiring they both battled for every point – Colin really wanted to take this scalp and he sensed the opportunity. Tony, who himself was determined to keep his run of Championship victories going really made Colin work for every poit, Tony got the hand back at 9-2 up and a couple os tight serves put Tony back in control and despite Colin sending Tony round every inch of the court, the Top Seed was equal to it and took title number 9 with a 3-2 victory.
Club Captain Del Sharratt had been refereeing the match and said “This has to be the most exciting, and best final I have witnessed at the club, Both Players left it all there and the match really could have gone either way. I was exhausted just watching it.”
Tony’s victory means he has won 9 out of 9 Club championships at Galashiels Squash Club as his reign continues.
Also on the night The Shield final was contested between Iain Gorman and Scott Hall in an all Selkirk affair. Gorman, a previous winner od the shield, had been working hard over the last few weeks on his fitness and squash to be reasy for the final. Both players had a similar style as they play fast hard shots but Gormans determination woon through as he took it 15-10, 15-3, 15-8 for a 3-0 victory.
Darren Quinn picked up the Stuart Finnie memorial Trophy for Most Improved Player at the club,
Del Sharratt added “We almost didn’t have a Squash club as there were problems with the building earlier in the year which needed immediate addressing – and between the Club Members, the local community and the wider Squash Community we raised the Thousands of pounds needed to carry out repairs and maintenance and keep squash alive In the Borders.
Next up in the Autumn is the annual Handicap Tournament at the Squash Club which is always very popular and gives the non-seeds a chance to win trophies.
