Scottish titles go to young players Butler, McCreath & Fraser

News

Loretto School, Musselburgh
Saturday/Sunday, 4-5 May 2018

STOP PRESS: 24 year-old Dave Butler wins the Scottish Open Singles for the second time, while Archie McCreath, who left Fettes last year, & U16 Winchester schoolboy Seb Fraser pick up the Doubles.

Organiser Neil Roberts writes:
This year’s championships, held on the Loretto School courts, were blessed with the warmest early May Bank Holiday weekend temperatures since records began, making perfect viewing conditions for the capacity crowds at the back of the courts. We were also delighted to welcome three entrants from the recently formed City of Durham club (only an unfortunate and explosive bout of gastroenteritis preventing a fourth player from Durham making the trip!)

In the singles, the highlight of the first round was a keenly contested match between Camille Beattie and the tournament organizer, Camille narrowly losing two hard fought games 16-14, 16-15, but surely showing that she has a bright future and the ability to challenge for titles in the years to come. Despite creditable performances from Ben Stephens (Alleyn’s and Aberdeen University), Michael Kemp (Caledonian stalwart) and Archie McCreath (Fettes old boy and last year’s Scottish Schoolboy champion) the top two seeds, Richie Murby and Dave Butler, eased through to the final to set up a repeat of the final of two years ago. As in their previous final encounter, Dave triumphed in three hard fought games in a match of great quality to win the coveted Cuthbertson Quaich for the second time.

In the doubles competition on Sunday, Archie McCreath partnering Seb Fraser (Winchester College) proved too strong for the other pairs, eventually defeating Neil Roberts and Enrique Castillo (Catalonia) 15-4, 15-8 in the final. In the plate final, Jonathan Lee (Caledonian Club) and Thomas Peel (Edinburgh Academy) beat Patrin Maddison (Loretto) and Oscar McIntyre (City of Durham) 15-7, 15-7.

Many thanks to Loretto School and, in particular, to Steve Tebbutt (master in charge of Fives) for allowing us to use the marvellous school facilities and making us feel so welcome.

RESULTS
Singles
1st round:
A McCreath bt J McIntyre 15-0, 15-2; N Roberts bt C Beattie 16-14, 16-15
Quarter-finals: D Butler bt McCreath 15-5, 15-10; M Kemp bt B Stephens 15-4, 15-8; P Maddison bt Roberts 15-1, 15-8; R Murby bt O McIntyre 15-2, 15-4
Semi-finals: Butler bt Kemp 15-1, 15-2; Murby bt Maddison 15-1, 15-2
Final: Butler bt Murby 12-15, 15-7, 15-6
Plate: McCreath

Doubles
Pool A:
Maddison & O McIntyre bt Murby & Beattie 15-12, 1-15, 15-5; Fraser & McCreath bt Maddison & McIntyre 15-7, 15-6, bt Murby & Beattie 15-5, 15-5
Pool B: Castillo & Roberts bt Kemp & J McIntyre 15-2, 15-3; Lee & Peel bt Kemp & McIntyre 15-7, 15-3; Castillo & Roberts bt Lee & Peel 15-12, 15-7
Final: Fraser & McCreath bt Castillo & Roberts 15-4, 15-8
Plate: Lee & Peel

Scottish Champion for the second time