Border Reivers 15-4 NHS Select

Tony Elliot 3-0 Dave Shields (15-6, 15-0, 15-1)

Pat Spence 3-0 Sandy Morris (15-11, 15-13, 15-13)

Del Sharratt 3-1 Paul Neary (15-13, 15-10, 12-15, 15-10)

Iain Gorman 3-0 Brian Magowan (15-11, 16-14, 15-11)

Darren Quinn 0-3 Sir Andrew (13-15, 10-15, 13-15)

As the East of Scotland squash league season fast approaching, the Border Reivers got some much needed game time with a pre-season friendly against NHS Borders Select.  What is turning out to be an annual event the doctors and staff from NHS proved tricky customers.

In the first rubber, the NHS Dr Jon McLaron pulled out last minute with injury so Sir Andrew was drafted in at last minute, the late call up didn’t phase the veteran as he conquered the youthful Quinn 3-0 but the games were close at 15-13, 15-10, 15-13.  the next game was an evenly matched tie Gorman v Magowan, The NHS team were glad Magowan chose them as he was also a member of the squash Club and a squad player for the Reivers, but he just had no luck as another 3-0 defeat came down to the wire 15-11, 15-10, 12-165, 15-10.  The third seeds next and in this rube last year Neary triumphed 3-1 over Sharratt so the Reivers Captain had a point to prove this time.

Neary couldn’t fid his usual game though and this time Sharratt repaid last years defeat with a 3-1 victory.  Sandy Morris made Pat Spence work for his victory, both had very contrasting styles but with 15-11, 15-13, 15-13 it was only one mistake that separated the players.  Tony Elliot found the going a bit easier and Dave Shiels is usually reliable but all of his shots found the tin and Dave just couldn’t find any rhythym.

Reivers Captain Sharratt said “The result flatters us slightly, the NHS team just had no luck and on another night the score could be different.  These pre-season games are vital for my team so we can get our eye in again before the leagues start.