01/05/10 - Highlands & Islands Squash - Presentation evening, Elgin

Highlands & Islands Squash Association Season 09/10 came to an end last month. The Presentation evening took place in Elgin's Golf Club, hosted by the League sponsor John Ramsbottom of JR Motor's Elgin, and yet again it was well attended by the participating clubs. MC for the evening was Association President Davey Taylor from Forres. Davey regaled the 80 plus audience with stories and achievements of player's and teams alike over the season.

So, to the presentations, Division 3 was eagerly contested and went all the way to the last day for the league winners to be decided. With just 6 points separating 1st from 3rd Kinloss B and Gordonstoun B were only just beaten by league winners Forres B. Forres B not only took the Division trophy and medals they also won promotion to Div 2.

There to collect their well-deserved spoils were; Captain John McKenzie, Jim Campbell, Rob Watson, Christopher Aldridge and Neil Anderson. Neil was to be congratulated for his efforts over the season as he only just missed out on the Player's Player of the year.

That honour went to JRM C's Anna McLeod from Rothes a well deserved medal for the Rothes lady who leaves us this year for Strathclyde University, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anna on behalf of the Association for all the hard work she has put into JRM C and best wishes for the future.

So to Div 2 and it was the turn of MRG of Inverness to take the spoils & promotion to Div 1, although, they were pushed all the way by RAF Lossiemouth.

Yet again the RAF outfit struggled for continuity due to global commitments, however they are to be commended on a terrific showing given the circumstances. This does not detract from what was a fantastic achievement for the Inverness Team.

There to collect their Trophy and Medals on behalf of the Team was Graham McKay unable to attend due to other commitments were; Alex Blake, Jamie Durkin, Willie MacDougall and Sandy MacDonald.

Div 2's Player's Player of the Year honour went to Nairn B's Daniel McIntosh. Daniel has progressed at a phenomenal pace this year and will be a real asset to the Nairn A Team during the coming season, especially as he has only to take the scalp of a certain Mark 'Rosy' Rosiak to make it a full house of Nairn scalps.

Division One was again a little one sided, with JRM A failing to hold onto the coat-tails of the Keith outfit during the run-in, making it somewhat of a formality for the elder statesmen of the Division to take the spoils.

Keith have a very strong team in depth and this clearly showed during the season. With a massive points tally of 245 for and only 74 against their dominance was there for all to see.

There to collect their Trophy and Medals were; Gary McKenzie, Neil Riach, Michael Stewart, Roy McKenzie and Team Mascot Gerald Angus (Knod).

Players player of the Year went down to the wire with JRM A's Stevie 'Happy' Leggat and Gordonstoun A's youngster Fergus Richards tied for votes after the final count.

So, to a tie break, all Captains were asked to cast a further vote. After the final reckoning Stevie Leggat was indeed 'HAPPY' as he proudly wore the medal taking the vote by the narrowest of margins, one vote. This was a fantastic achievement for one of the oldest players in the league and Stevie is to be commended on a terrific season.

Yet again we round up with the Premier Division and rightly so as this is where we should all be striving to compete.

The level of squash played this season was nothing short of tremendous with both the young and old players making for a very competitive league. However, it was a team with very young 'limbs' in the shape of; Greg Lobban, Kyle Gribben, Neil Johnstone, whilst being supported with an older stronger 'trunk' in the shape of Robin Hamill.

Robin has guided the youngsters to a fantastic win and is to be credited for the faith he showed in the youngsters. Who was it that said, 'You'll never win anything with youngsters'?

ITSC have also to be congratulated as they finished with their 3 Premier Lge teams in 1st, 2nd and 3rd spots.

Player's Player of the Year went to Ft William's Alan Love ensuring that another honour went south to Lochaber.

Greg Lobban once again took the honour for the highest ranked player in the HISA Association, not to be taken lightly as he finds himself being pushed by the other Inverness youngsters; Ewan Urquhart and Ally McCorquodale.

So in closing, although I won't be playing in the HISA leagues next season I will hope to be following the events very closely as I wish to retain the position of fixtures secretary for the upcoming season. (Just a seconder needed)

I would like to say a massive thanks to all club players, officials and the Committee for all their hard work in making the leagues such a success. I leave knowing that under the stewardship of the Committee that the future looks bright for squash in the Highlands. I wish the Association every success in the future and hope to be back in the area promoting our sport in the not too distant future.

Thank you...

report and photos from Stevie 'Chocolate Boy' McClue (ref to easily broken)

 

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End-of-Document

Season 2010-2011

As and when fixtures become available, they will appear here.