Scotstoun 1 v Western 1 – Match Report!

Saturday 2nd April saw the last match of the 2021/22 season between Scotstoun 1 and Western 1 – the local derby! Being a rearranged match from the first half (Scotstoun were struck by the dreaded ‘vid) we decided to hold it on a Saturday afternoon so that we could do pizza and beers afterward 🙂

The match lineup was;
1. “Pistol” Pete Halliday v John “Mad Dog” Meehan
2. Steven “Doc” Halliday v Fin “The Baker” McGhee
3. Martin “Barstool” Woods v David Alexander Niven (AKA “Uber”, “Squirrel”, “Big Dave” or “Sandra”)
4. Ben “NickHitter” Ramasubbu v James “Pigeon” Crowhurst
5. Kieran “Ice” Pole v Robyn “Sunbed” McAlpine

First on was the much hyped 3rd string match between Sandy and myself. A few weeks ago, Sandy had managed to beat me in a Friday morning bounce game 3 nil, so was riding high on this and seemed somewhat reluctant to play again. The actual match was a hard fought battle with the first game being very tight, but a few errors from Sandy gave me the first 11/8. The second was even tighter, see-sawing back and forth and going all the way to the wire, but once again I scraped through, edging it 15/13. Luckily for me, the third game was a bit quicker, as I managed to take an early lead on a tired Sandy, and won the third 11/4. I was lucky to get ahead of the young Sandy on this occasion, but I’m sure he’ll get the better of me in future! Western 1 – Scotstoun 0!

Meanwhile, next door on court 2, Steven Halliday was doing battle with Fin McGhee (Glasgow’s finest baker!). Although I didn’t see too much of the match, it was a tight affair. Fin was playing well, moving Steven into the front with his attacking short game, and with Steven playing his usual strategic brand of squash. Despite taking both the second and third all the way, Fin was eventually overcome, with Steven winning 3 – 0 win. Western 2 – Scotstoun 0!

The 5th string match was a battle between Kieran Pole and the young up and coming Robyn McAlpine. Kieran had been playing well coming into the match, on the back of a good win against Hamilton player Keith Martin and having really worked on his movement and tactical play. Robyn however, was moving superbly well. Having just been accepted into the Scottish Institute of Sport, Robyn has been doing a new and improved strength and conditioning programme, which really showed in her court coverage. Depsite the usual supreme effort from Kieran, Robyn emerged victorious 3 – 0. Western 2 – Scotstoun 1!

Ben Ramasubbu was next on against James Crowhurst, which promised to be a battle royale and it didn’t disappoint! James took first blood winning the first, but Ben brought it back to 1 – 1 in a tight second game. James made a great effort in the third, really working Ben into the front court, making it 2 – 1 but also tiring Ben out for the fourth – a strategy which paid off well for him, closing out the match 3 – 1. Western 2 – Scotstoun 2!!

The finale and deciding match was the 1st string match between Pistol Pete and Mad Dog Meehan. The last match between the two was decisive 3 – 0 win for John, but Peter has put in a good effort in his Club Championship training plan and is getting back up to full fitness. The first game was tough with both players working each other around the court – it was obvious this was going to be a closer affair than the previous time. At one game all the match was finely balanced, with both teams still in with a shout of winning, but John’s fitness and relentless accuracy gradually took its toll on Peter, and John finished it off with a 3 – 1 win. Final result….. Scotstoun 3 – Western 2!

After the matches, we all retired to the bar for Pizza and chips, courtesy of Caffe Parma, washed down by Tennents and Menebrea (Irn Bru for Sandy and Robyn!). It was a great end to a difficult season plagued by COVID, but it’s been great to get back on court! Bring on Season 2022/23!!