North Kessock squash star claims silver at world championships in Glasgow
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GREG Lobban just missed out on world championship squash doubles gold when he and Rory Stewart lost in the final in Glasgow.
The number six seeds lost to top seeds Declan James and James Willstrop from England broke home hearts with a 2–0 win.
At 10/8 down in the first game, the prospect of England’s long hunt for a championship gold - which they hadn’t won since 1997 in Hong Kong - seemed looming. James and Willstrop recovered spectacularly, though, saving the game balls and taking the first game 11/10 before winning the second 11/6 to take the title.
Lobban, meanwhile, reflected on the positives of a week in which Scottish teams played above their seedings and won silver and bronze medals in the men’s draw, a bronze medal in the mixed, and secured impressive fifth-place finishes in the mixed and women’s draws.
He said: “The tournament was fantastic. I had a good run in the men’s with Rory and with Lisa Aitken in the mixed draw.
“It’s tough to take, but looking at the bigger picture, getting to the world championships is a big achievement that we’re very proud of.
“This is the first time Rory and I have played together in a major competition, so to come second in the men’s draw is a great achievement. We knew coming in we were one of the best teams and had a really good chance, so I’m pleased we came away with something.”
Scotland also secured a bronze in the second men’s pairing featuring Munlochy’s Alan Clyne and Douglas Kempsell beating England’s Daryl Selby and Adrian Waller 11/9 10/11 11/9.
Clyne said: “We were seeded five coming in but we felt we had a good team and could beat anyone out there.
“We had our chances but didn’t finish how we wanted. However, we got the bronze medal so we have to be happy with that. Me and Dougie have known each other for so long we know each other’s games, so despite this being our first major tournament playing together, I felt we gelled quickly and played well.”
