Donaldson Cup all-stars

Apr 10 2009 by Stephen Lowson, Strathearn Herald

Donaldson Cup all-stars

THERE was a good turnout at Crieff Hydro for The Donaldson Cup, the individual championship of the Crieff and District squash league last Friday.

The Plate competition saw a composed victory for the veteran, Matt Shaw of Abbotsford-Perth over his 12 year old opponent Rory Stewart of Crieff. After the first nail biting game went to Matt 10 points to 9 he followed this by 9-5, 9-2 to close out a match in which he could never relax. Rory one of Crieff’s many youth internationals will undoubtedly feature in the main event in the not too distant future.

In The Donaldson Cup itself, the holder Gregor Newton – of Abbotsford – contested a long and arduous final, losing in 5 to Richard Northin of Mariner, Falkirk.

A lead for Gregor in the first was overhauled by Richard to close it out at 9:5 in a scrappy opening game. Gregor then showed his mettle in two powerful games winning both 9:1 playing flawless squash to go 2:1 up in games. A stout fightback by Richard winning the fourth 9:4 brought an expectation of an exciting finale, but Richard, applying maximum pressure to a

tiring opponent, cruised to victory 9:0 to win an exciting final.