Shetland Squash
The 31st Orkney vs Shetland Intercounty 1st June 2019, Kirkwall.
“An electrifying Intercounty hinges on final match up.”
Records were going to be made this weekend which ever side won. Infact it was one of the tightest competitions yet and possible one of the only ones to make it to 4-4 with a deciding match to settle it. Both teams fielding juniors thought to be a record 5 juniors taking part. A real changing of the guard.
Thirteen players going to the Natwest Island Games took part in this years senior squash intercounty in Kirkwall last weekend. Orkney had never beaten Shetland in a games year while Shetland has only won in Kirkwall once in 2003 on the old courts.
First up was one of the many old guard vs new when Kevin Priest took on Scotland under 17’s team member Finlay Scott at seed 3. Last years match was a very tight 3-2 however Scott had really pushed on since being selected for Scotland and Natwest Island Games team and almost daily training showed as he forced an impressive 3-0 victory after some determined resistance from Priest.
ORKNEY ONE SHETLAND ZERO
Seed 4 saw two island games players clash and another battle of changing of the guards when Philip Manson took on Andy Reid. Manson started strong taking the first but Reids immense fitness saw him take the next two but Manson is no slouch as he battled his way back to take the next two and the only 5 setter of the night to make it 1 all.
ORKNEY ONE SHETLAND ONE
Seed 6 saw two juniors Igor Gazda and Connor Scott battle out although they were both playing in their first county both players have played several times before in the nationals and it is becoming a bit of an intense grudge match. Gazda showed much improvement but Scotts technique was too good for him on this occasion.
ORKNEY TWO SHETLAND ONE
Seed 2 ladies saw a rematch from several previous encounters were Jane Park and Jane Hill. Hills island games form and training showed as Park showed some good tactical play but was unable to deny Orkney going into a 3-1 lead.
ORKNEY THREE SHETLAND ONE
Seed 2 mens saw the on fire Jarl David Sutherland take on ex-scotland junior Andrew Torbet. One of the tightest and exciting matches of the day saw the youngster Torbet win out on this occasion. But there could easily be a rematch in Gibraltar. Orkney, 4-1 ahead. One more to win.
ORKNEY FOUR SHETLAND ONE
Seed 1 Joan Smith was having none of it in her regular intercounty match up against Barbra Balcombe. Balcombe showed her best performance yet but Smith was too strong leading the Shetland counter back to 2-4.
ORKNEY FOUR SHETLAND TWO
Seed 3 debutants and youngsters Zoe Rivett and Maddie Walker battle it out next. Rivett showing why she is on the way to Gibraltar this July with nerves of steel and some fine technical play. Now 3-4.
ORKNEY FOUR SHETLAND THREE
Seed 5 saw veteran county player Billy Mycock back from injury to take on debutant Tim Lill. Lill showed some fine power and deep hitting but Mycock was in no mood to lose and brough it to 4 a piece.
ORKNEY FOUR SHETLAND FOUR
That left E & H Shetland Squash Island Games Team number one Stuart Copland to battle it out against Orkney Island Games Team number two Andrew Moar. Power, Power, Power and more hard hitting saw a fast and furious match which was just enough to stop the tide shifting to Shetland as Orkney and Moar managed to play it out to finish 5-4 and champions again in Kirkwall. Shetland Team would like to thank sponsors E & H Building Contractors and Northlink Ferries for their support in a great warm up event for the Natwest Island Games in July. Follow the progress of the team here.
Captains Photo: Andrew Moar & Kevin Priest
