Unst saw the conclusion of The Bulter & Mulhern Shetland Boys Under 15 & 13 squash championships last weekend. Stuart Copland powerful shots were too strong for most as obtained the double header winning both titles.

Although not before a gruelling qualifying process the final stage being the super sixes which saw top seeds Stuart Copland, Josie Wishart & Cameron Garrick take on Ryan Kirk, Craig Smith & Andrew Bain for 3 places from the Lerwick region. Non seeded players required one win to knock out the top seeds. Craig & Andrew tried hard to cause some upsets with good tactical squash but were unable to match their opponent’s variety of shots. Both Stuart & Josie were in determined form with no games dropped as they played too strong for the rest qualifying as seeds 1 & 2. This left a crunch match between Cameron & Ryan. Always a close match both boys did not disappoint after some enduring squash Ryan managed to edge ahead winning the second game clear of two.

A scaled back U15s saw Stuart Ferguson & Cameron Garrick compete in a 6 way round robin with the top 4 U13s (Copland, Josie, Ryan & Mark Ferguson). The highest finishing player would win the U15s & the highest of the top 4 U13s would win the U13s title.

Mark took on Copland first, a slow start and the power of his opponent saw Mark struggle although some good drop shots delay Coplands win. Ryan and Josie played next with some fantastic serving from Josie saw a steak of 9 win game 1. Ryan fought back in game two with some determined squash, neck and neck all the way but a final flourish by Josie managed to clinch the match.

Cameron’s persistent returning and hard running was a shock to Ferguson as Cameron took a streak of 7 to win game one. Ferguson hit back in the second with some powerful forehands to bring it to a deciding game. Both players gave their all, neck & neck to 11 all but Ferguson just had the edge as he took the last 2. Cameron kept the intensity going in the next match almost causing an upset against Copland with only two points in game one but Copland recovered well to win.

Another game going all the way was Ryan vs Mark 31-21. Mark was getting better with ever game with more deep shots and good drops saw him start with a great streak of 8 against Cameron. Mark won the match after some hard play. Unfortunately Cameron retired after this match with an endurance related injury. Ferguson vs Ryan saw two games go clear of two with a three game marathon finish 36-34.

 

Josie was unable to deal with Fergusons heavy forehands after Ferguson won a close encounter. This left Josie and Copland to play off for the final of the U13s. This match could go either way with Josie’s accurate driving and drops verses Copland’s powerful crosscourts and deep shots. Josie won the first and it was neck and neck all the way in the second until Copland managed to turn it around with a streak of 3 being enough to edge ahead and win the game. Both boys showed some fatigue in the last but Copland heavy shots endured the most as he overcame an early deficit to lift the title.

The final of the U15s was then Copland vs Ferguson. Copland started well with resilient hitting on both sides of the court saw Ferguson unable to stop him taking the first. Ferguson tried hard to mix it up in the second but Coplands formidable hitting was too much for everyone as he lifted the U15s title too.