Orkney Inter-County - Season 2004 - 2005

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Orkney just too strong - 12/03/05 - (Home)

Thurso Squash Club was the venue for the return leg of the Caithness v Orkney Inter-County Match. With two strong teams travelling from Orkney Squash Club, it was always going to be a difficult task for the Caithness sides to try and pull back 5-3 'A' team and 6-2 'B' team deficits. But, with the Pentland Firth giving the travelling team a rocky journey across, it was in the minds of the home side that they may be slightly sluggish on the boiling hot courts of Thurso and points could be there for the taking.

This was not to be the case in the 'A' team fixture, as a mixture of youth and experience in the Orkney team covered every inch of the court, continually bombarding, stretching and placing shots outwith the reach of the Caithness side. Excellent performances from Carole Mowat and Jane Cormack playing some long and tight shots up the walls, baffled the Orkney ladies and in doing so saved a white wash but the Orkney side lifted the Robertson Cup trophy with a 6-2 (11-5) win.

The 'B' teams' fortunes brightened up the day, producing some close matches that could've gone in any direction. Wins from debutants Lewis Brunton and Gareth Edwards were the pick of the bunch with both battling and winning five setters against experienced Orkney players. Alistair Miller, Lara Campbell and Jane Grant were the other winners in this side of the event, taking the score to a home win of 5-3. Unfortunately, an overall result of 9-7, gave the Caithness Shield, to Orkney.

Caithness captain, James Henderson presented the Orkney captain's with their trophies and wished them all the best in the up-and-coming Island Games, which is this year being staged in Shetland - and, going on present form they will be a tough outfit to topple".

Photos

Caithness & Orkney players
	I noticed Carole cleaning up, which was strange enough.....

Caithness have lots to do in return match - 20/11/04 (Away)

Thurso and Wick Squash Clubs joined forces to play for Caithness, in a two legged Inter-County Match, against our friends from across the water, Orkney.

The Orcadians are currently in negotiations with their Council and other organisations to try and move away from their dank and dilapidated squash courts, which require layers of clothing to try and keep warm before a match, and hopefully in the near future they will be given a good result.

Although, the above may be true, Orkney have managed to produce two excellent up-and-coming young squash players - namely, Adam Bews and Adam Stanger. Bews, is currently ranked number 2 in the Scottish Under 17 set-up and Stanger, who is slightly older, can more than hold his own against the older men.

The match, usually, goes in the favour of the home team - so, it was no surprise that the Orcadians managed to take a 5-3 lead in the 'A' Team and 6-2 in the 'B' - over with them for the return leg, next March, in Thurso.

Good performances from the 'A' Team women Jane Cormack, Carole Cameron and Carole Mowat, respectively - leaves the Caithness side with a good chance of pulling back the deficit on home soil. The men couldn't get to grips with the killing punch shots the Orkney lads provided and scrambled for points in all of the matches but we'll say that that was down to the bad sea crossing and hanging around.

With two games to go in the 'B' contest it was down to Karen Campbell & Davie Swanson to try and halt a whitewash and leave the side with a glimmer of hope to regain the trophy. They duly obliged and although both games went to five setters, their nerves of steel shone through and made their opponents make the mistakes which gave them victories.

If I had to write a report card for the return leg it would read, "must try harder.....".

Thanks to Orkney for their excellent hospitality, once again, and look forward to the return leg in March.

Photos

Caithness team

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