Precision Blinds Ltd Tankard - Season 2004-2005

Contents:-

-Third time lucky for Jane-|-Carole X wins-|-Daisy bounces back-

Third time lucky for Jane - 17/04/05

This was the final Precision Blinds Ltd Handicap tournament of the season and a maximum number of contenders arrived at Thurso Squash Club to try and lift this coveted title. It was also good to see a good entry of juniors, keen to try and upstage their older and more experienced counterparts and, with some of the play that took place on the day, there is some promising talent for the future.

This tournament was a case of, 'if at first you don't succeed, try and try again', as previously Jane Grant had been the winner of the Plate competition, on two occasions, but with an extra burst of energy, will power and determination that she wasn't walking out the door with a runner-up prize - she managed to boast and 'out fox', Stevie Spargo - in a re-run of the last Precision Blinds Ltd plate tournament.

Les Mackay and Donald Pollard were the competitors in the final of the Plate trophy. Les, previously beat the sponsor of the trophy in a long battle, which gave his competitor, Donald Pollard an inkling that he had a chance of taking the prize and with a six point start he could've been favourite going into the tussle. But, the county number 2 played his conventional game and placed Donald in difficult positions to win the plate by a few points.

Thanks to Neil Mackay, Precision Blinds Ltd for his continued support - and following the presentation he notified the Thurso Squash Club Chairman, Mr Sandy Stewart that he would be delighted with his sponsorship deal to be extended for another season.

Photos

L to R:- Les Mackay (Plate winner)-|-Sandy Stewart (TSC Chairman)- -Stevie Spargo (Runner-Up)-Jane Grant (Winner)-|-Neille Mackay (sponsor)

Badminton Girls take the honours - 15/01/05

Thurso Squash Club's opening tournament of 2005 managed to amass a full quota of 16 participants, in this one day handicapped event sponsored by Precision Blinds Ltd, Halkirk.

The main and plate finals were populated with three Badminton ladies (Carole Mowat, Alison Henderson & Jane Grant) and Stevie Spargo tried his best to thwart the female influence.

It wasn't enough that one Henderson, namely, James - managed to get into most finals at Thurso Squash Club but wife Alison kept the name flying high and proved to be the surprise package of the tournament. This was an excellent turning point for Alison reaching the final, as she has not been able to take part for a number of years due to niggling feet and back problems.

On the day, after a number of difficult and enduring earlier rounds, it wasn't to be, though - as the more nimble, 'court-worthy' and experienced Carole, produced the goods to pull the scoreline back and lift the first silverware of 2005.

With Stevie just back after a ruptured calf injury and a fair handicap to pull back, it was always going to be an uphill battle. Jane's deft touches at the front of the court proved too much and eventually finished things off with a neat boast, leaving her having to add an extra lair of 'Silvo', as she regains the plate trophy.

Sponsor, Neil Mackay commented at the final stages that he was delighted a full 16 competitors had taken part, with the excellent organisation and looked forward to the final tournament of the season, in April".

Photos

Main winner - Carole (left) & Alison	Plate Winner - Jane & Stevie

Daisy bounces back - 23/10/04

Thurso Squash Club staged it's debut tournament for the Neil Mackay, Halkirk - Precision Blinds Tankard. Neil, a keen squash player at the club, has kindly sponsored three tournaments throughout the season.

A maximum amount of 16 contenders are needed for this one day competition and as 10 took part, it was decided to try a new concept of a 'handicapped superset round robin'. One game to 21, split into two leagues, the top of each league play for the tankard and the bottom go for the plate.

With a good mixture of player standards in each league, it proved to be a very exciting and challenging days squash for all involved.

League one players, Carole Mowat and Jane Grant lacked their usual punch, which left Neil Mackay, tournament sponsor (0), Davie Swanson (-43) and Leslie Mackay (-48) to battle it out. With Neil beating Davie by one point, Davie beating Les and Les beating Neil - it left the players with three wins each. This left the organisers with a headache but they finally decided that due to countback, Davie would move onto the final

In League two, Sandy Stewart unfortunately triggered an old injury, at the beginning of his last league game, removing him from any contention of winning the trophy. Pauline Gunn and Malcolm Lord had varied fortunes in their games, which left Stuart Sutherland (-20) with the chance to progress to the final by beating Donald Pollard (-42). Stuart used his long reaching frame to his advantage and seemed to be in control of this encounter, pulling away to a 14-0 lead. But, Donald acted like a grain mill and ground his opponent down until it was make or break time at 20-20. Stuart held his nerve, grabbed the final point and moved onto the final, leaving Donald to rue his earlier mistakes.

Jane Grant lifted the Plate Trophy by just edging out Malcolm Lord, playing tighter boast and nick shots.

Stuart, as in his game against Donald Pollard, rushed into an early lead with Davie having to chase, stretch and scrimp for every point. With Stuart pulling away to a 17-3 lead, Davie showed excellent 'bouncebackability', to win the Tankard by 21-18.

Thank you to everyone who took part, helped with scoring and more information on the club can be found at http://ebigh.com.

Photos

LtoR:- M Lord-|-S Sutherland-|-J Grant-|-N Mackay (sponsor)-|-D Swanson (winner)

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