Youngsters show class on courts
Shetland Badminton Association held the championships for the under-13 age group on Saturday at Clickimin.
After all the snow, players were able to get to the centre and were eager to compete.
In the boys’ singles 15 contestants were split into four groups, which gave most players three games and best of three games, so play was constant.
In Group A Rory Irvine (Whalsay) had no problem keeping a clean sheet and securing a place in the semi-final.
Dean Guthrie (Yell) qualified from the tough Group B. Dean and Stuart Fraser (Aith) tied at the top, both having a battle with Liam Henderson and Kieran Flaws (Ness). As Dean had played more sets, the points could not be counted, so it had to be decided on the head-to-head which Dean won 2-1.
In Group C Eoin Leask (St Clement’s) was top, coming through to meet Liam Flaws (Ness) winner of Group D.
In the first semi-final game Dean (the under-11 winner) put up a tremendous battle against the more experienced Rory, losing out 12-21, 19-21.
In the other match Liam and Eoin both played good net shots, with Liam taking the match 21-16, 21-16.
The final was a great match. Liam got a good start, taking the first set 21-19. Rory attacked well in the second game to win 21-13. The third set was close throughout with Rory edging ahead to win 21-15 and take the title.
In the girls’ singles there were two groups of six players, played in a round robin format.
In Group Y Lindsey Morrison (Whiteness) came through with no problems.
In Group X Kate Tyler (Sandwick) had a good win over a nervous Claire Johnston in her first match, enabling her to secure the place in the final.
Lindsey was in control throughout the final, winning 21-12, 21-17.
In the boys’ doubles Eoin Leask and Rory Irvine were top of Group A.
With only time to play one set to 31 points Liam Flaws and Liam Henderson won 31-23 against Stuart Fraser and Dean Guthrie in the hardest group game.
The final was a close game until Eoin and Rory had a good run of points to win 31-26 against the two Ness Liams.
The girls’ doubles, also played in two groups, had a very close final. Shannon Hughson (St Clement’s) and Jenna McDonnell (Yell) were winners of Group X and up against Group Y winner Lyndsey Morrison and Claire Johnston. It was Claire and Lyndsey who took the title 32-30.
The mixed doubles saw lots of close matches. In Group A Liam Flaws and Kate Tyler won their games to reach the final. Group B was won by Jenna McDonnell and Dean Guthrie, playing good traditional mixed doubles. Dean and Jenna went on to win the final 31-19 against Liam and Kate.
After a good long day of badminton with lots of good games association president Norman Sineath presented the trophies and medals to winners. He thanked the Clickimin Centre, scorers and parents for transport and also the players for their good spirits and sportsmanship.
Singles events
The senior singles event was held at Clickimin on Monday and in the first semi-final first seed Kevin Smith beat Stuart Sineath 21-14, 21-12.
In the other semi-final Norman Sineath had a close win in the first set but looked more comfortable in the second, winning 21-11.
The final went point for point at the start but Kevin’s strength paid off, enabling him to take the match 21-17, 21-14.
In the women’s event Joan Smith beat first seed Zoe Anderson 21-19, 22-20 in a close match. Shona Keith had an easier time winning 21-8, 21-15 against Diana Jamieson to secure her place in the final.
In the final Shona displayed good mobility and power while Joan was consistent. Shona won 21-17, 21-18.
A second event was the restricted singles which was open to any non-county players. A good entry was received from the under-18 squad who were eager to get some competition before travelling to Orkney to play in the Highland Restricted Competition, which is being held in Kirkwall at the weekend.
In the boys’ event 10 players battled out in three groups, playing in a round robin.
In Group J Stuart Sineath was top while Group K had two going through to the semi-finals. Calvin Leask was top followed by Ryan Wood. Group L had Alan Johnston top to take the last semi-final place.
In the semi-final Stuart kept attacking well to win 31-19 against Calvin while Alan Johnston played well to win 31-21 against Ryan Wood. In the final Stuart continued to dominate to win 31-16 against Alan.
In the girls’ competition there were two groups of four players – in Group A Shona Keith kept a clean sheet while in Group B Joan Smith fought off the competition to do likewise.
The final was a close match between Shona and Joan, but Joan was successful winning 31-29.
Anne Wood presented the small plaques to winners of the restricted event. The singles cups will be presented on Sunday after the senior doubles and handicap events. Play starts at 10am and players are urged to turn up on time.
The under-15s and inder-18s are in action again on 1st March and A and B county players are reminded that training is back on at the AHS games hall on Monday.
