WELSH JUNIOR OPEN 2008

National Squad coaches Gerry Towler (Grampian) and Mark Beaumont (Midlands) took a squad of 18 Scots to the Welsh Junior Open, which was held in Cardiff this year. This European Squash Federation (ESF) event, attracted players from all over the world and hence was a reasonable test and excellent preparation for the many players who are soon to be representing their country at the forthcoming Home Internationals and European team championships.

The Scots had an excellent tournament with no fewer than 16 of the 18 players, getting through their first rounds. Incredibly 15 of the players then went on to achieve top 10 finishes in their respective age groups and particularly pleasing was the fact that we produced a winner, three runners up and two third positions. There was an excellent Grampian representation at the tournament with no fewer than 6 of the regions players participating.

Lyall Paterson – Winner of the Welsh U19 boys event in 2008

All of the players performed well above expectation and produced performances which were far from expected. Our current Boys U19 national champion Lyall Paterson came out on top to win his first ESF tournament for many years, against the Welsh No1 Hywel Robinson in a thrilling final, with Lyall edging it 3/2. He played solidly throughout the tournament and victory against Robinson ranked 10 places above him in the European rankings, provided an excellent boost to the youngster who leads the Scots team at the European team championships in a few weeks time.

In the GU17’s Mhairi Charlton made it to her first European final when she disposed of the French player Sarah Barnes (No1 Seed and ranked 9 in Europe) in the semi finals, before going down to Englands Lucy Townley in the final. Team mate Lyndsay Ackers narrowly lost her first round match 3/1, but responded well by winning all of her remaining matches to secure a very respectable 9^th position.

Rosie Allan had an excellent start to the tournament and despite coming up against exceptionally strong opponents in the latter stages, will be rightfully pleased with her overall displays. Brother Sam similarly had a great start to the campaign and put in some spirited performances, narrowly missing out on a 7^th finish going down 3/2 to his Irish opponent.

Chris Leiper suffered an injury to his hand prior to the tournament, however bravely battled on regardless and produced an excellent execution of drop / lob to get through the first round. Further gutsy performances saw him narrowly lose a further match 3/2. Chris finished a respectable 15^th and learned after a visit to A&E on the Monday following the tournament, that he had played with a fractured hand.

Pictured

Ffront row: Mark Gerry, Morgan McGuire, Mhairi and Rosie.

Behind Morgan is Sam and to his right Chris

Final Scottish positions were as follows:

Boys Under 19 – Lyall Paterson 1^st, Chris Ferguson 2^nd & Kevin Moran 7^th

Boys Under 17 – Ian Jubb 5th, Sam Allan 8^th, Ross Lawrie 9^th, Ally McCorquodale 10^th, Greg Lobban 11^th & Ewen Urquhart 17^th

Boys Under 15 – Douglas Kempsell 2^nd, David Jones 3rd, Greg Stewart 9^th & Chris Leiper 15^th

Girls Under 17 – Mhairi Charlton 2^nd & Lindsay Ackers 9^th

Girls Under 15 – Morgan McGuire 5^th & Rosie Allan 7^th

Girls Under 13 – Kirsty Lobban 2^nd