Broadberry Sports

It’s great to hear the ‘West of Scotland Squash Divisions’ mentioned in a crime novel and who else but Bert (aka R.J.Mitchell) to be the first to do it.

I went to the Glasgow launch of Bert Mitchell’s first novel Parallel Lines (the Glasgow Supremacy) and bought my copy of the 300-page thriller hoping for a page turner, and I wasn’t disappointed. To say Bert takes us on a romp through Glasgow is understating the case, as the lead characters run amuck through Springburn, over the Kingston Bridge, George Square, the Clyde Tunnel and everywhere in-between! The body count is high, the love triangles are intense (and I’m not just talking about Thistle, Celtic and Rangers!) and the chases are every bit as charged as a good tie-break in the 5^th (10-9 if you’re reading the paperback and 12-10 if you’re reading it on a Kindle!).

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 Have you ever seen any of the modern ‘legends of squash’ play? Were you wowed by the skills of Jonathan Power or amazed by the movement of Peter Nicol? Many of you will remember local lad Martin Heath who reached the dizzy heights World No. 4 spot or adopted Scot John White who was World No.1.

And as if that wasn’t enough Simon Parke (ex-World No.3) and Tim Garner (ex-World Ranked No.28) will also be there to make up the ‘Super Six’ who will be battling it out to settle old scores and bring back some great memories.

If you’d like some more information on ticket pricing and weekend packages, dinners AND attending a ‘Legends Clinic’ please click here

I’ll see you there!

(Platinum package for me Ali!!)

Doug with his "West Player of the Year Award" and his Vapor Racket

Doug Macmillan from David Lloyd West End capped off a fantastic years squash by picking up the West Squash” Junior Player of the Year” Award (as well as an East Dunbartonshire Council Achievement Award).

And what a year Doug has had as he:

Cemented his place in David Lloyd West End 1st Team

Became a Member of the West Regional Squad

Was a member of the West inter-county winning team

Became a member of the Scottish Tallent squad at Heriott Watt in Edinburgh

Represented Scotland at the U17’s level in the European Team Championships in Munich

Doug with the rest of the Scottish European Squad

Congratulations Doug and good luck for continued success next season.

It’s a pleasure to introduce the Harrow ‘Sword’ racket which was developed in memory of Derek Sword. Derek was one of Scotland’s top junior players in the in the days when Peter Nicol and Martin Heath were also making their way in World Squash.

Derek tragically died in the 9/11 attacks in New York and friends including Peter and Martin helped arrange the Derek Sword Trophy, which is now played annually by a New York and a UK team. The 140gm navy & white racket (from a Vapor mould) has Scottish, UK and USA flags and makes mention of the match venues of Edinburgh, New York and London (where the trophy has been contested) on the frame itself.

From this match the legacy was developed into ‘World Squash Day’ and this year the date is 5th November (should be some fireworks that night!).

For further details on this exclusive racket click here (or go to the ‘Harrow Shop’ tab and then rackets).

It all started well for Jason and he was in charge of the 1^stgame and always ahead. John kept himself in contention, but at 9-8 Jason turned the screw and won the next 6 points without reply to take the 1^st game 15-8.

(To see more photos click here) Read more…

Steve Wilson (Open winner) & Sean Norris (runner-up)

Steve Wilson may not have been seeded to get to the final against last year’s champ Sean Norris, but given his recent form, not many people were surprised that he made it.

The very first rally set the tone for the match as Steve played very aggressive squash and Sean chased everything that was thrown at him. Sean eventually won the rally and then continued forcing Steve into making errors to take a 7-2 and 8-4 lead. However all this running was bound to take a physical toll and Steven worked his way back to 9-9 and then took a 13-10 lead. Once the finish line was in touching distance Steven wasn’t going to be denied and he eventually won the 1^st game 15-13 (on a stroke).  (to see more photos click here)

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me, Jason Grinton, Richard Cantlay, Craig Paris (Giles Insurance - Sponsor)

 An unexpected final indeed and it couldn’t have been better for the crowd with a 3-2 spectacle that lasted almost an hour. Going into the match the favourite was Richard Cantlay and the underdog Jason Grinton, but tournament squash brings it unique pressure and finals heighten that pressure so anything could happen……………and it did!

Jason got off to a great start as Richard played some nervous looking shots and it wasn’t long until Jason had a strangle hold on the 1^st game with an 11-6 lead. Richard stemmed the tide, but wasn’t able to make up much ground as Jason kept the lead and took the 1^st game 15-9. (to see more photos click here)

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David Lloyd Glasgow West End Semi-Final – Well that was a great semi-final in the David Lloyd West End Championships last night as Richard Cantlay took on the young pretender Doug Macmillan. On paper I thought Read more…

David Lloyd Renfrew – Semi-finals

Well the semi-final certainly lived up to expectations as Jason Lang and Sean Norris did battle yesterday – and it was a Read more…