Grampian Squash Stars Shine in Europeans

GIS Squash players Lisa Aitken (Montrose), and Rosie Allan (Montrose), Mhairi Charlton (Aberdeen, pictured) and Lyall Paterson (Stonehaven), along with National Talent Squad player Andrew Forbes (Stonehaven) and senior squad player Claire Kidd (ex Aberdeen & now Edinburgh), all played their part for Scotland in their respective European Team Championships over the last two months.

Mhairi was in the U19 squad which created a bit of history in April, when the team seeded 10^th finished a very respectable 5^th in their respective European Championships in Germany. This win secured the equal best finish for a Scottish team in that age group in 21 years. This squad was coached and managed by Grampians Academy Lead Coach Gerry Towler. Pick of Mhairis victories undoubtedly was against Belgiums Nathalie Philipsen, when her 3/0 victory secured the Scots progress to the 5^th – 6^th playoffs which they won against the Czechs. Congratulations to the whole squad which comprised of: Chris Ferguson (ESIS), Kevin Moran (WSIS), Ian Jubb (ESIS), Mhairi Charlton (GIS) & Morgan Maguire (WSIS).

Next up was the senior teams who competed in Sweden. Lyall was the youngest member of that squad and only featured in the one match against Switzerland’s Kevin Vlliiger going down3/2 in a titanic 43 minute battle, however the team ranked 7^th were once again to exceed expectation and finish an excellent 6^th position in their competition.

The Senior Women’s team who were seeded 12, were to defeat Poland, Luxembourg and Austria in the group stages of their European competition. Claire secured two fine victories and the win against Wales Stacey Preece was particularly pleasing as it set the team up for a major upset over Wales. Lisa was the youngest member of that squad and not only featured in every match but won all 5 as the Scots progressed to an eventual 9^th place. Lisa proved to be the match winner for Scotland in their clash with Wales when she produced a 3-0 win in the final tie against Natalie Pritchard, whom she had been narrowly defeated by, in the recent U20 B International in Cardiff. Against Spain in the Scots last tie of the tournament, Claire was edged out in 4 high quality games in the first rubber. Scotlands No1 Frania Gillen-Buchert however leveled the tie with a fine 3/0 victory. Lisa had the Scots parties emotions running high as she saw a 2-1 game lead go to the fifth and then suddenly found herself facing match ball down. Lisa however produced a precision drive literally an inch above the tin to save that point and then calm as you like followed up by winning the next two points to secure the win for the team.

The Under 17s last weekend competed in Spain. The team seeded 9 were coached by Claire Kidd and got off to a great start by overcoming 8th seeded Switzerland in the group stages. This result meant that Scotland were ultimately to progress to the quarter finals where they were up against number 2 ranked France. The Scots produced a superb performance to win 2-1 booking their place in the semi-finals against Wales. Mhairi was unbeaten in the tournament at this stage and although she lost 3-1 to Tesni Evans, the European number 1 ranked player, she was able to push Tesni to the limit. The boys however produced two incredible performances to obtain a win for Scotland which secured the countries first ever appearance in a European final. The gold medal match against number 1 seeded England was always going to be a big challenge and so it proved to be, with the Scots losing the opening two matches. England were deservedly the European Champions on this occasion, however Mhairi and Greg Lobban will take heart that they each came close to taking games off their neighbours. 

Despite the disappointment of losing out in the final the team had performed well above expectations and the silver medal was a fitting reward for the efforts of the whole squad which comprised of: Greg Lobban (HIS), Dougie Kempsell (ESIS), , Alan McCorquodale (HIS), Mhairi Charlton (GIS) & Morgan Maguire (WSIS).

The Scotland Under 15 side were also in Spain to compete in their respective Team Championships. Rosie and Andrew were part of a very young Under 15 squad who were always going to find things tough. Whilst the Scots seeded 12 expectantly lost out in the group stages they were to produce two excellent wins against Denmark and Switzerland which saw them progress to a very respectable 10^th finish with the team being edged out by Israel, in their final match. Rosie had two fine wins against Denmark’s Malene Christiansen and Switzerland’s Anina Zullinger and although Andrew lost his two matches he put in excellent performances in each.

Graham Melvin (GIS) who has only recently started playing again, following a long illness, put in an incredible performance to finish 3^rd in the Senior National Championships in March. We wish Graham a speedy recovery and hope he will be competing for places at next years event.

Gerry was quick to praise the Scottish Squash management team of Paul Frank (National Performance Director) and Roger Flynn (National Coach) for running an incredibly successful Junior Excellence Program, which is undoubtedly one of the most successful in Europe. He was particularly supportive of fellow Academy Lead Coaches Louise Frank and Mark Beaumont who along with Claire Kidd (now Edinburgh), Robin Hamill (Inverness), Alan Clyne (Glasgow) and Alistair Gorrie (Aberdeen) have helped the players along the way.