Scottish National League set to reach thrilling conclusion at Oriam
The Scottish National League is set to reach its thrilling conclusion at Oriam this Saturday, with it all still to play for in the men’s and women’s leagues.
It is set to be a battle of the Edinburgh clubs, with Edinburgh Sports Club and Heriot-Watt University occupying first and second in both the men’s and women’s events.
The Heriot-Watt University men’s team, which includes senior internationals Greg Lobban, Martin Ross and Andrew Glen have a slender advantage over their rivals, leading by five points.
They will go head-to-head with Edinburgh Sports Club in a match which could be a straight shootout for the league title.
However, both sides will have to avoid potential banana skins in their matches against Western Squash Club and Newlands Lawn Tennis Club respectively earlier in the day.
Elsewhere, in the men’s competition, new entrants for this season Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club and Inverness Tennis & Squash Club will look to end their season on a high, following strong showings from both.
The women’s draw follows a similar pattern, with Edinburgh Sports Club currently in the lead, nine points clear of Heriot-Watt University, and top professionals Alison Thomson and Kaitlyn Watts having won all games played so far.
ESC triumphed when the teams met earlier in the season, giving them the advantage, but the Edinburgh side will have to be at their best to avoid defeat against their opponents this weekend.
Last season’s champions Inverness Tennis & Squash Club, currently third, and Western Squash Club will look to throw a spanner in the works.
The winners will qualify for the European Club Squash Championships 2024, being held at Roehampton Club in south-west London.
Looking ahead to the action, Oriam Head Coach Donna Lobban said: “It’s really exciting, especially with the top two teams playing each other on the final day in the men’s competition.
“It will make for a great finish, and it’s up for grabs depending on who can do the best on the day.
“Overall, it has been really positive for us to have a women’s team in the National League for the first time.
“The girls have all loved playing in the competition, for some of them it was their first time competing in a format like that with team camaraderie.
“It was brilliant to see new teams competing in the women’s league this year, and I hope more clubs decide to get involved next year as well.”
Edinburgh Sports Club Club Squash Professional Simon Boughton said: “Our women’s team are 9 points ahead of Heriot-Watt. We don’t play each other on Saturday, but we are acutely aware that we need wins over Western and Inverness if we are to take the title.
“Our men’s team are 5 points behind Heriot-Watt going into Saturday’s fixtures. We have a tough match against Newlands which is a must win if we are going to take it to the wire. We play Heriot-Watt in the afternoon in what could be the title decider.
“The carrot at the end of the stick are places in the European Club Championships in London later in the year. It is going to be an exciting day!”
You can follow all the results on SportyHQ.
Fixtures (Saturday 13th April)
Men’s National League
Newlands Lawn Tennis Club v Edinburgh Sports Club (10:00)
Western Squash Club v Heriot-Watt University (10:00)
Edinburgh Sports Club v Heriot-Watt University (14:00)
Newlands Lawn Tennis Club v Western Squash Club (14:00)
Inverness Tennis & Squash Club v Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club (14:00)
Women’s National League
Western Squash Club v Edinburgh Sports Club (11.00)
Edinburgh Sports Club v Inverness Tennis & Squash Club (15:00)
