first target is retaining scottish title then mannofield club will look to take on continental rivals
Aberdeen have their sights set firmly on more Euro glory
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Aberdeen Squash Racquets Club will open its defence of the Scottish National League title on October 28 as the team bids to earn another shot at overseas competition.
The north-east team confirmed its place among the elite of the continental game with a spirited display in the European club champion-ship last month.
The Mannofield club finished fourth in the tournament at Linz in Austria having qualified by winning the Scottish title this year.
They will now bid to earn a return to the European stage by retaining their Scottish trophy in a six-team top flight featuring Newlands, Miln-gavie and Bearsden, Edinburgh Sports Club, Western and Aberdeen’s second team.
The Aberdeen first team opens its title defence at home to Milngavie and Bearsden, who are making their debut in the top flight.
The Aberdeen second string faces a tricky trip to face Newlands as the clubs embark on the road to the league’s final play-off on April 11.
Alistair Gorrie, who combines managing the city club with his playing commitments with the team, said: “We lost to the Swedish champions Intersquash in the play-off for third place in the European champion-ship.
“It was a slightly disappointing end to the tournament, but having finished fourth overall in Europe at our first attempt, there is no reason to feel down.
“Playing team squash is totally different to playing for yourself. For our professional players Daryl Selby and Simon Parke it is second nature, but for the part-time players such as Kevin Milne and myself it is not.
“We both feel we have learned from the experience and I am sure it will help in the season ahead.”
Aberdeen defeated Liech-tenstein national champions RC Vaduz and Hungarian title holder Farao Sportegyesulet in their opening group matches of the European event to set up a decider against English league winners Colets.
A place in the semi-finals was at stake and it was the Scottish team which rose to the challenge in its first Euro-pean championship appearance, knocking out the second seeds by holding them to a 2-2 draw and holding top spot in the group.
Danish outfit Odense proved too strong in the semi-finals and ran out 4-0 winners before falling 4-0 to German club Paderborn in the final.
The Aberdeen team comprised Gorrie, Kevin Milne and English professionals Daryl Selby and Simon Parke. Reserve Steve Cartwright made his debut in the play-off for the bronze medal in place of the injured Parke.
