Orkney Inter-County - Season 2006 - 2007

Contents:- -HOME-|-AWAY-

'A' team just lose out but 'B' win - 10/03/07 - (Home)

L to R:- Mik Swannie, Orkney 'A' team captain, James Henderson, Caithness coach & Donald Pollard, Caithness 'B' team captain

Thurso Squash Club was the venue for the return leg tussle between Caithness & Orkney in this seasons Inter-County match with the Robertson Cup and Caithness Shield up for grabs.

In the 'A' team event both sides began their quest for silverware with one of their key players missing through injury - namely, Adam Stanger, Orkney and James Henderson, Caithness.

Orkney started the contest with a healthy 7-1 lead and may have been feeling fairly confident but with the travelling team playing in a totally different climate than they are used to a surprise was still possible. With the first five games going Caithnesses way there was a sense of anticipation and excitement gathering within the surrounding players and on-lookers but the Orcadians looked on in bemusement as to the potential risk of losing from such a large lead.

The Orkney nerves were settled when the following match was secured and then, in I suppose worthy circumstances, the Orkney captain, Mick Swannie won his match to allow his team a breathe of fresh air and return across the Pentland Firth with the trophy.

Andrew Bremner, Wick managed to win the final game of the day against tough opponent, Ian Stout and the tie ended 6-2 to Caithness but 9-7 overall to Orkney.

The 'B' team began all square (4-4) from the first leg and the home side were firm favourites to complete the task. This prediction did not fluster the Caithness side and with a couple of games to play the trophy was securely bound for the Caithness 'B' team captains' mantlepiece - namely, Donald Pollard with a 6-2 win and 10-6 overall.

Congratulations to both sides and all the best for next seasons encounter.

Scoresheets

Photos

L to R:- Mik Swannie, Orkney 'A' team captain, James Henderson, Caithness coach & Donald Pollard, Caithness 'B' team captain

Caithness team

Orkney team

Andrew v Ian

Carole v Bettie

Les v Mik

Ian v Terry

Cook v Shaun

Carole v Kath

Alistair v Colin

Donald v Kevin

Ian Adamson with his gorgeous daughter, Lucy in the Sky with diamonds

Little Janice holding Lucy with mother, Wendy looking on.

A lot to do on return but 'B' team do well - 18/11/06 - (Away)

Some of the Caithness team

A Caithness Squash team comprising of players from both Thurso and Wick clubs travelled the daunting trek across the Pentland Firth to meet their rivals, Orkney for this seasons first Inter County encounter.

With a healthy squad on-board, bar one lady unavailable from the 'B' team, hopes were high for good performances and a manageable result for the return match would be a bonus.

The 'B' side certainly complied with this predicament returning a satisfactory result of 4-4 and with the three unfortunate Caithness competitors just losing out in their matches, this bodes well for the return leg placing them as favourites to lift the trophy with a home advantage.

A slippery surface leading to difficult working conditions was the only explanation the Caithness 'A' team could muster for their demise in this match. In retrospect, it was a strong and well organised Orkney 'A' team that proved the failing of the Caithness side, winning 7-1, with Jane Grant putting in a performance of a lifetime to pick up the sole point.

Although home advantage for the Caithness side will be a benefit, it will be a monumental task to pull this scoreline back but one which current coach, James Henderson has grasped and forced his team to 'up their training schedules' for the return leg.

Scoresheets

Photos

Caithness team

Orkney team

Adam v Andrew

Bird v Swannie

Les v Terry

Colin v Andy

Carole v Betty

Donna v Barbara

Jane v Cath

Daisy v Shaun

Titch v Rob

Happy v Kevin

Donald v Mark

James v Eric

Mairi v Audrey

Pauline v Marie

The returning racket that had an interesting journey over the water for both itself and owner (Happy).

A training routine halfway through a match is necessary......

End-of-Document