Orkney Inter-County - Season 2008 - 2009

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Caithness secure both trophies - 21/03/09 - (Home)

Martyn Cook accepts the 'A' team trophy from Sandy Stewart.

Thurso Squash Club hosted the return leg of the Caithness versus Orkney Inter-County Squash match and with both 'A' and 'B' scorelines sitting perilously close, it looked promising for a good finish.

Orkney travelled across the Pentland Firth with two of their first team players unable to take part but, this was also reflected in the Caithness side - as three of their usual players could not perform due to injuries and other commitments.

With the 'A' team match sitting at 4-4 from the first leg, it was going to be a tough task to lift the trophy.

Caithness 'A' Ladies were slightly bemused by the Orkney Ladies' line up but stuck in and managed to win their matches 2-1.

Mairi Vines snatched the first vital point with a worthy 3-2 win. Donna Majilton just lost out and Ladies' captain, Carole Mowat comfortably won her tie 3-0.

It was then down to the Men to secure enough points for the trophy.

Orkney won the first point with Les Mackay just losing out in a tough match.

Caithness players, Jamie Henderson and Ian Adamson did more than enough to win their matches, leaving the home side only requiring one more point for the spoils.

The pressure was left to Martyn Cook but the Caithness side need not have worried, as he produced a fine performance - never allowing his opponent in the match to win 3-0.

Some might've thought the sparkle would be taken from the 'A' teams' 1st Mens 'show game' - but, the two players provided a thriller.

Andrew Bremner and Adam Stanger have battled against each other on numerous occasions, in closely contested matches.

This was to be no different with the match finishing 9-7 in the final set to Adam, leaving the 'A' team scoreline at 5-3 and a total of 9-7 to Caithness.

Donald Pollard accepts the 'B' team trophy from Sandy Stewart.

Caithness 'B' began their quest for glory with a 5-3 start from the first leg and one they did not want to let slip.

Fine performances from Ladies, Jane Grant, Carole Cameron and Michelle Cowie got the squad off to a thumping start by winning 3-0, in all matches.

Gavin Majilton started off the Mens' side of the campaign well by winning 3-0. Alistair Miller continued by securely winning 3-1. Debutante, Mark Mackay followed on in a tight match which he eventually took 3-2 and Sean Miller beat an experienced Orkney player 3-2, leaving it up to captain, Donald Pollard to complete the clean sweep.

Donald is a battler and never looked troubled, coming home 3-0 for an 8-0 team win, only losing five sets in the leg and, 13-3 overall scoreline.

Congratulations to all who took part and everyone for the food & drinks provided.

Scoresheets

Photos

Caithness and Orkney players.

Michelle is on her toes in her match for a good win.

Carole provides the goods for the second time!

photos from Alison Henderson

All to play for in the return leg - 29/11/08 - (Away)

Bird v Adam

It was to be a day of surprises for the Caithness Squash team as they travelled to Orkney for their first leg Inter-County tie across the water.

A flat, calm looking Pentland Firth proved to be the first surprise.  As the travelling team just started to divulge their lunch, a sudden plethora of waves began tossing and turning - forcing some unwary 'tourist types' to grapple and wander unwillingly, much to the delight of the seated occupants.

A loss for a team from the wrong side of Glasgow against an Edinburgh side, brought joy to the Green community.  Maybe not a big surprise but worth a mention!!

Surprise number three was the announcement that 'The Big Sun Bus' would be attending the St Andrews Day celebrations in Kirkwall.  Unfortunately, the squash ran on pretty late and we were unable to visit any of the activities.

Surprise four was the size and luxury of the rooms provided for the Caithness players in 'The Shore, Kirkwall'.  Some had stayed there before but a majority were knew to the scene and felt they were being treated like Lords...???  Thank you to Orkney Squash and the hotel owners for their hospitality.

Surprise five was the amount of hair young - sorry, he's coming on a bit now - Ian Adamson had taken off his Strawberry top, in a Kirkwall barbershop!!!!!  He was unrecognisable on return!!!

Orkney and Caithness players.

I suppose the surprise in the squash match was the Caithness 'A' team Ladies' losses at first and second.

Normally, Carole Mowat and Donna Majilton would, not be comfortable winners, but manage to produce the goods in their ties.  On this occasion, Betty Stanger and Barbara Balcombe, respectively - frustrated their opponents with tight, educated shots leaving Carole and Donna scrambling for efforts that usually hit the tin or left them out of reach.

Mairi Vines has been pushing her way up the Thurso Squash Club League ladder with some fine performances and was duly promoted to the first team for a tie against seasoned campaigner, Kath Bremner.  After a nervy start, she pulled away and produced the goods to grab a vital point for the 'A' team.

Ian Adamson, Andrew Bremner and Daisy all won their ties 3 sets to 1, in the 'A' team Mens' section to end this round all square at 4-4.

The 'B' team travelled well and although the Ladies' captain was unable to entice a 6th lady to travel, they grouped together and wins from Martyn Cook, Jamie Henderson, Gavin Majilton, Jane Grant and Michelle Cowie proved enough for a 5-3 victory.

Congratulations to both Caithness teams and hopefully we can pull it off in Caithness next year.

Orkney teams in their new sponsored strips.

A shocking surprise...!!!  In the coming months, Sky viewers should follow the show, 'Extreme Makeover' on the Living Channel.  Why, I here you ask? Well, Oor Michelle, had an unfortunate accident in her match, where she managed to leave her racket in the face of her opponent.  A game of chess can now be played on the Ladies' gridded coupon and will require extensive work to rectify her new arrangement.

Seriously, we hope everything is OK and this will not stop any of the players continuing in this great sport.

Young Gavin Majilton surprised his guests at the dinner table, as he managed to eat a blueberry/blackberry for the first time in his life.  Took a bit of time for him to conjure up the strength to place the fruity delights into his 'ample mouthpiece' but on completion, a smile of delight and in true Wicker vocabulary announced to his onlookers, "No bad 'at....".

The penultimate surprise came on the return journey, when the boat had to stop halfway across due to the loss of a boot!!!  Yes, she's been warned many times before to hold onto the 'American Indian Moccasin style boots' during sleep but it took a tannoy message of, (orcadian accent) "Could the tribal person with size 8 feet who has lost one of their brown leather style boots - please pickup their property from the reception desk - but leave your horse, totum-pole and axe in the deck carriage.  Thank you....."!!!  You know who I mean!!!

Final surprise...

Daisy walked home after departing the boat, passing Popeyes and managing to take some snaps up the road.  True........  Ask the ramblers that were heading for Victoria Walk (Carly's Ma and Pa) who spoke to him on the way up the road.  See snaps below.

A fairly eventful weekend with good performances.

Scoresheets

Photos

Rob v Dexter

Adam is down but is he out???

Donna v Barbara

Audrey v Jane

Betty v Carole

Terry v Andrew

Andy v Cook

Colin v Ian

Ian v Mick

What's he taking a snap of???

Sunday morning up with the lark, think I'll have a walk...

Hamnavoe

Water feature 1

Hamnavoe

Morning sea spray.....

Water feature 2

Not sure what this is???  Answers on a postcard.

End-of-Document