Fiona McLean WO50 & Jim Dougal MO65 British Open Masters 2016 Champions

It was not just the weather that was shining this weekend. Our Scottish Masters squash players were also on fire at this year’s British Open Masters Championships.

With a strong Scottish contingent each and every home player that entered this prestigious event had a reason to be proud.

Fiona McLean our only Scottish entry in the ladies proved why she is one of our best masters players with some fine performances in the over 50 event.

McLean pulled of a semi final win against Isobel Smith (Hertfordshire). After trailing two games to one down the Scottish player managed to come back and win 9/7 in the fifth game to secure our third Scottish finalist of the tournament.

McLean showed great spirit and determination in the final after coming back from 2/0 down against opponent Rachel Woodford who was looking on course to take the title. McLean was in no mood for taking second place and turned the tables, saved match ball in the fourth before completing the comeback 4/9 4/9 9/4 10/8 9/6 and earning the crown of  British Open Ladies Over 50’s Champion.

McLean said “I was shocked and delighted at my win as I thought I was destined to be the perennial runner up!
I know that there are many Scottish women out there who could do equally well throughout the age groups in both the British Nationals and the Open we just need to encourage them to enter. Maybe next year is the year for the Scottish women to take these tournaments by storm! Pauline has already led the way!”

WO50
1st round
2* Fiona McLean {Scotland} Bye
Quarter Finals
2* Fiona McLean {Scotland} beat 5/8* Shelly Walsh 9-4, 9-1, 9-1
Semi Finals
2* Fiona McLean {Scotland} beat 3/4* Isobel Smith 8-10, 9-5, 9-1, 9-5
Final
2* Fiona McLean {Scotland} beat 3/4* Rachel Woolford 4-9, 4-9, 9-4, 10-8, 9-6

Our over 65 men were still in fine form from their Home Nations win the month before in Cardiff. The first upset of the tournament was when Scotland’s Ian Ross dispatched no1 seed Peter Smith (Buckinghamshire). After a tough five setter Ross now looked on course to win the event. However it wasn’t to be as John Rae, who also caused an upset earlier by putting out ¾ seed Howard Cherlin in the quarters showed no mercy as he eased past his Scottish team mate 9/3 9/2 9/5 and secured his place in the final.

Scotland’s Jim Dougal, not wanting to be left out squeezed through a tight semi–final against Ian Graham. Dougal took the opening game on a tie-break but lost the second easily. Not giving up he came back to take the lead only to see Graham steal it from him and force a decider. Just when it looked like Graham had the match wrapped up at 8/5 match ball up somehow Dougal managed to find something extra and won 5 points in a row to take the match 10/8 2/9 9/5 4/9 10/8 to complete an all Scottish Final.

Dougal showed his dominance in the Final proving why he is a force to be reckoned with in this over 65 age group beating club compatriot John Rae 9/6 9/4 9/0 and become British Open Men’s Over 65 Champion!

MO65
1st round
5/8* Ian Ross {Scotland} beat Peter Richardson 9-1, 9-0, 9-2
5/8* John Rae {Scotland} beat Phil Godfrey Walkover
3/4* Jim Dougal {Scotland} beat Harvey Kember 9-0, 9-1, 9-1
Chris Wilson {Scotland} lost to Bryan Francis 9/16* 9-4, 4-9, 9-7, 4-9, 9-4
Quarter Finals
5/8* Ian Ross {Scotland} beat 1* Peter Smith 10-8, 2-9, 9-5, 4-9, 10-8
5/8* John Rae {Scotland} beat 3/4* Howard Cherlin 6-9, 9-5, 9-2, 9-3
3/4* Jim Dougal {Scotland} beat 5/8* Larry Grover 9-3, 9-0, 9-2
Semi Finals
5/8* John Rae {Scotland} beat 5/8* Ian Ross {Scotland} 10-8, 3-9, 9-3, 6-9, 9-2
3/4* Jim Dougal {Scotland} beat 2* Ian Graham 10-8, 2-9, 9-5, 4-9, 10-8
Final
3/4* Jim Dougal {Scotland} beat 5/8* John Rae {Scotland} 9-6 9-4 9-0