Scottish Masters Squash

Sunday update (and the last) from Perth WA.
We had a final to attend. Pauline Douglas vs the Australian Gaye Mitchell, #2 seed. Gaye warmed up on court for 15 mins waiting to start, cracking the ball. Pauline chatted to us outside the court!
Onto the match itself. Gaye was too nervous and did not play her best, while Pauline started out a completely different animal to her semi-final. Relaxed and playing perfect shots. 11-5, 11-8 to Pauline.
But then the game turned in the 3rd. Gaye found her length and settled. And won it 11-7. It was going to be a mighty battle, but coach Adrian was on hand to steer.
The 4th was a crazy game. Both playing at their best, the shots just kept coming. Pauline ended up having 5 match balls in the 4th, every one of them won off the serve by Gaye with high-risk but deadly winners. It ended 18-16 to Gaye. 2-2 in games.
The 5th kept the same quality. It went 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7. Pauline then got ahead and was serving at 10-8. The adrenaline kicked in - served OUT! Oh no, 9-10. Can you guess what Pauline did on the next point?
A reverse angle boast off the serve that was so good Gaye questioned it and the ref paused… it was UP and we had a winner. 🏆 on the 7th match ball. 4 times world champion.

Pauline’s game today was like chalk and cheese from yesterday. And it had to be to beat a formidable opponent. She said straight after: “I’m crying like a child I’m so happy. For me, my family and my squash family. “ She immediately then was messaging her family (photo). Well done Pauline 💪👍❤️
A quick update on the three boys opponents: Mark Woodliffe who beat Neil in the last 16 won the over 65s. John MacRury who beat Bryan in the last 8 got a silver medal; and Richard Chin who beat Adrian in the last 8 is in his final this afternoon. So we all feel a wee bit vindicated and all proud to be this competitive.
End of the reporting from Perth WA, hope I’ve not bored you with too much detail! Neil.

Saturday update from Perth WA.
Pauline Douglas played her semi-final match against a strong New Zealander. Their styles were similar with some crazy good serves an inch below the side-lines deep etc. and drops and boasts from anywhere.
Today Pauline came out the blocks faster and got into her stride to win the first 11-6. The second got away from her at 2-7 down. But Pauline’s length became a factor and it was 9-9 with the NZ serving. Coach extraordinaire Adrian R muttered “key point”… Pauline then played the most sublime reverse angle return of serve possible. And went onto win that game 11-9. In the third Pauline got ahead and stayed ahead, winning it 11-8. Another 3-0 win and into the final tomorrow. The team are excited, coach Adrian ecstatic!

Friday update from Perth WA.
Two Scottish players competed today. Both in the quarter finals and both vs #1 seeds in their age category.
First up was Bryan Jackson vs John McCrury from Cayman Islands. Bryan was quietly pre-motivated by the expectancy shown by his opponent. Bryan went 2-1 up by sticking to his game and taking McCrury to the front at every opportunity. The 4th got away. Bryan then had a great start going 6-2 up in the 5th. From there however it slipped out of his grasp and Bryan lost 3-2 in the last 8. What a great tournament he’s had. 👏
Adrian Richmond then had a match vs Richard Chin from Guyana (but lives in NYC). The match was at the other club, Belmont, hence the Scots waiting for an uber to travel together.
Adrian came out the blocks like a tiger. 1-0 up and 8-4 up in the 2nd. Richard afterwards said the ferocity of Adrian’s play just did not allow him to settle.
However the match really ebb’d and flowed, Richard then winning the 2nd 13-11 and going 9-1 up in the 3rd. Back Adrian came for another attack, getting to 9-10 before a risky cross court nick return from Richard won him the game. Down 2-1.
The 4th again had pockets of exceptional skill from both players, Adrian losing it 11-8. Lost 3-1 and out in the last 8 in the world. 👏
Pauline has the weight of the country on her shoulders when she plays her semi tomorrow. They are mighty strong shoulders so the Scottish team will be there to cheer her onto victory! Go Pauline! 💪

Our Scottish masters teams are competing in the 2026 Home Internationals in London this weekend. We would like to congratulate all the players for their selection & wish the team all the best

Thursday in Perth WA. Headlines: we’ve lost one!
Neil Stone-Wigg was on first today against the very good Mark Woodliffe from England. Neil’s adjective to describe how he felt after the match was - “bamboozled”. Mark had the better of Neil from the start; and Neil’s best moment was when he was serving at 9-9 in the 2nd. Mark’s holds and accuracy was all too much and Neil has exited the tournament at the 9-16 position.
Next up was Bryan Jackson against an Aussie who has had some good wins. First tight game 11-9 to Bryan. 2nd game was on a tightrope. 12-10 win to Bryan. Then the 3rd was a blur - to the good! 11-2 and 3-0 victory. For the only two hand-ins in the 3rd his opponent even served to Bryan’s forehand - he was a beaten man! These were words out of Bryan’s mouth straight after: John Rae told me “you’ve got the tools just go out there and use them”. I did but where did they come from?!
Into the last 8 playing #1 seed and multiple world champion John McCrury tomorrow. Can Bryan recycle those tools?
Pauline Douglas went on late afternoon. What did Pauline do? She again wanted a tight 11-9 first game. A pattern is developing but Pauline describes herself as a runner, not a squash player! What?! Next two games were more straightforward as per the pattern. 3-0 and into the semi-finals.
Adrian Richmond had a day off, playing the #1 seed Richard Chin tomorrow in the quarters.

Wednesday in Perth WA saw three of the Scots in action. Mid week and competition hotting up!
Bryan Jackson up first. Playing an Australian who defo won the knock-up. Bryan told to “slow down the tempo”, and he proceeded to dictate the pace from there. Some of the precision serves, cross courts and drops brought gasps from the crowd. A well thought-out win 3-1, and into the last 16.
Pauline Douglas up next. Also vs an Aussie. After feeling generous in the first game and only winning it 11-9, her coaching team moved it up a notch and the next two were a lot more straightforward. 3-0 and into the last 8.
Adrian Richmond to finish. Also an Aussie opponent whose squash looked rather good. Adrian’s length in the first 2 games saw him into a 2-0 lead. From there it turned into a battle and a half. Scott Gardner came into his own, dominating the T and playing some great squash. The 3rd went his way 11-5. Adrian focused back to his length game and the game ended 15-13 to Adrian. Games balls against and if he lost any the 5th was anyone’s guess. What a well fought win 3-1; and into the last 8. Wow we are tired just watching.
So… again, all 4 Scots STILL in it!

Worlds update from Perth WA.
Tuesday was progression day for two of the Scots. Adrian Richmond put on an impressive display - he kept his patience and the rallies going before delivering the killer shot when it presented itself. His opponent was very good but was flagging by the end of the first. Adrian won 3-0 and is now into the last 16.
Neil Stone-Wigg was next on and played an Indian competitor ranked higher. Neil took him down 3-0, boasting him into oblivion. Well if it works, keep doing it; was his logic. Also into the last 16.
Pauline Douglas is already in the last 16 with her bye, due to start her tournament tomorrow.
Bryan Jackson has a last-32 match in the morning to look forward to.
So to summarise - all 4 still in it! 💪

A new season awaits! The Scottish Masters Squash selection criteria for season 2026-27 has now been published on the Scottish Squash website.

Visit the link to view the Men's and Women's selection criteria in full 👉 https://bit.ly/4qIwTSJ

The world squash masters has now started in Perth WA for the Scot’s. We all got a bye in our first rounds so kick-off action in the 2nd round occurred today for the three men, Adrian Richmond, Bryan Jackson and Neil Stone-Wigg. All 3 took home a 3-0 win and live to fight another day. Pauline Douglas has to now wait until Weds for her first match - it’s quite frustrating seeing all this squash and not getting “your turn”!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Good luck to our Scottish Masters stars! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Four Scottish players are heading off to represent their country on the world stage at the World Masters Squash Championships! 🎾

Wishing Pauline Douglas, Adrian Richmond, Bryan Jackson, and Neil Stone-Wigg the very best of luck as they take on the world's best in their respective age categories. Great to see Scotland so well represented!

Get behind them and show your support as they fly the Scottish flag high 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙