Sandwick and St Clements strongest starters as badminton season begins
Last weekend saw the start of the new badminton season with the leagues getting going. Due to the October holidays it was a slow start with only one match in each division being played, but things are sure to hot up as the weeks go on.
Division One
Unst A 1, Sandwick A 8
Title favourites Sandwick A travelled to newly promoted Unst A for this season’s opening fixture. In the first mixed Sandwick’s Stuart Sineath partnered new signing Zoe Anderson to defeat Andrew Hunter and Kathleen Johnson 21- 7, 21-18. Sandwick won all three women’s games. The pick of these saw Karen Priest and Linda Thomson just beaten by Sarah Grogan and Joan Smith.
The three men’s were tight games, but Sandwick edged them all. Peter Hunter and David Sutherland pushed Norman Sineath and Ian Smith especially close before going down 21-16, 18 -21, 19-21.
Unst did finally stop the rot with Linda and David beating husband and wife pairing Joan and Ian 21-18, 21-18.
Players of the match were Sarah and Stuart for Sandwick and Linda and David for Unst.
Both teams would like to congratulate Kevin and Brenda Smith on the birth of their baby boy.
Division Two
Gulberwick 2, St Clements 7
Due to a combination of retirals, injury and prior commitments a much changed Gulberwick team’s main success came in the mixed doubles. St Clements’ young pairing of Roy Wood and Lorrie Robertson started well, overcoming a determined challenge from the experienced pairing of Brian Hill and Gail Bray in three sets, 21-14, 18-21, 21-18. Late replacements Evan Ockendon and junior Carrie Fraser did well to even things up for Gulberwick, winning 21-8, 13-21, 21-12, over Jamie Duffy and Hannah Garrick. The third mixed saw Andrew Anderson and another junior Leanne Jamieson finally overcome Ryan Wood and Sarah Leask in the closest match of the night, 14-21, 21-15, 25-23.
St Clements proved too strong for Gulberwick in all three of the women’s level doubles. The first set between the strong pairing of Lorrie and Hannah against Gail and Carrie was a close affair, going St. Clements’ way, 22-20. They also won the second 21-11. Hannah and Sarah also won in two sets, 21-17, 21-10 against Carrie and Leanne. The last women’s doubles was a much closer affair, with Lorrie and Hannah coming through 21-10, 19-21, 21-17 against Gail and Leanne. The youngsters from St Clements also had the better of the men’s doubles. Roy and Jamie were matched most of the way by Brian and Evan, but came through 21-19, 21-16. The first set between Jamie and Ryan and Evan and Andrew was very close at 23-21. The second proved easier for Jamie and Ryan, ending 21-12. The last men’s doubles went to three sets. Brian and Andrew surprised Roy and Ryan, and maybe even themselves, winning the first set 21-13. This seemed to only encourage Roy and Ryan to up their game as they won the next two, 21-10, 21-14.
Players of the match were Carrie Fraser and Leanne Jamieson for the home team and Lorrie Robertson for St Clements.
The much changed Gulberwick line-up did well to take the majority of the matches to three sets. It was encouraging to see eight juniors involved and they all played well. Even at this early stage it would seem that St Clements will do well this year.
