Kingdom Squash T&F Tournament

Saturday 17th June 2023

The tournament was be run by Kingdom Squash Coaches on behalf of the Tayside & Fife Squash Association. The event was suitable for all standards from mini squash to club players. the aim to create graded sections that match the ability of those that have entered.

It was HOT, HOT, HOT, the 16 players played in 4 pools of 4 players, this provided each player with 3 matches in a round robin, each match best of 3 games upto 11.

Link to sporty hq page for full competition details:

https://www.sportyhq.com/tournament/view/DaBay-Tayside-Fife-Junior-Graded-Bronze-Event

Grade D mini squash rules players having a 2nd serve if required. An introduction to competition for the first time. Cheered on by players, Parents and Grandparents the matches were closely contested. Robert and John Murdoch brought loads of enthusiasm and fun that that got the crowd going during their games, Alfie a little more cautious in this new arena and atmosphere, the cauldron of competition, 2 of his 3 matches going to 3 games. Keira played with more structure and some good ball striking proving to be a little too strong for the others in the group.

Grade C, development ball but normal rules, Henry, Hector, Roddy and Brodie all got stuck in with great enthusiasm. Brodie played with structure, patience and tactical awareness, this proved too strong for the others in his group. All the games had some good rallies and each of the players already developing their own styles of play. Henry and Hector giving each other plenty of help and support. Roddy was cheered on by big brother Mickey and Mum. Brodie guided by Dad and Mum.

Grade B, more experienced players Bettina and Eden, joined by Bay juniors Willow and Alex. Big thanks to Alex Rigden for a late call up the night before, this saved a redraw of the tournament. Some well constructed rallies from Bettina ensured all the players had a thorough workout. A good start from Eden saw her go a game up in her match with Bettina, before Bettina levelled the match and then pushed through to win the match and the group. This left the group with one match to play as Willow and Alex had a really tight set of games, Alex Rigden at 10-6 down saved match ball with a full length dive and the ball was up and the crowd went wild. However, Willow completed her 3rd place win with the next point.

Grade A featured some very experienced squash players and some youthful challengers. Some great rallies and the ball was hot, some experienced heads made the most of a hot ball. Mickey will have gained some good experience in playing each of these players. The final placings for the whole group however came down to the 3rd game between Sean and Les, with the momentum going with Sean taking points in pairs to go into an 8-4 lead, then Les had a purple patch and won the next 4 to level the match at 8 All. Sean took the next before Les pushed through to win the match 11-9. So, Les heads the group with Colin taking 2nd place.

It was HOT, HOT HOT (have we said that already?), the best of 3 format meant the matches were tight and the whole tournament was rapid with no long pauses, everyone engaged, either playing, scoring or supporting each other. Special shoutout for keeping it in the family as, Keira won a Gold Medal in Group D and Grandad Colin a Silver Medal in Group A. Thanks to some very enthusiastic crowd support and rocket ice lollies. Final thanks to all the players, another step forward in their development.

Group A                                                                                      Group B

Les Symmons (R) Gold Medal                                  Bettina Buchmann (R) Gold Medal                

Colin Boswell (L) Silver Medal                                 Eden Van Der Esch (L) Silver Medal     

Group C                                                                                      Group D

Brodie McMaster (R) Gold Medal                           Keira McBurney (R) Gold Medal                

Henry MacIntyre (L) Silver Medal                           Robert Murdoch (L) Silver Medal  

        Family Success