Annual U15 Junior Inter CountyBadminton – Orkney v Shetland
On Sunday 3 February the Annual U15 Junior Inter County badminton match took place on home ground between Orkney & Shetland at the Pickaquoy Centre at 10-30am.
The Orkney & Shetland players gathered together to receivea warm welcome followed by details regarding the format of play for the day. Each player would compete in two singles matches, one level doubles & one mixed doubles match resulting in a grand total of 36 games in total. A very determined Orkney team took to the courts and were up for the challenge to try and retain the prestigious trophy at home.
1st Round Girls Singlesresults:
6th Amy Johnston(O) was unluckyto loose out to Sophie Morris(S) 21-18, 17-21, 11-21 in a close three setter match. 5th singles Megan MacLeod(O)was overcome by the strong & consisitent play of Chloe Irvine(S) 10-21, 14-21.
At 4thElise Doull(O)won the first set comfortably and had to dig deep in the second set to claim her win in a very competitive match against Nicole Hughson(S) 21-13, 25-23.3rd Claire Rendall(O)had tough opposition against Ashleigh Nisbet(S)losing out 10-21, 14-21.2nd Alice Scott(O)performed well against the more experienced player Amy Sineath(S)just losing out in a close first set 17-21 and finally 10-21.
1st Emma Work(C)was on top form with her attacking fast cross drops and smashes to beat Shetlands number one girl Claire Johnston 21-13, 21-19.
1st Round Boys Singles results:
The Orkney boys found it tough going in the first round of singles against the strong Shetland boys. 6th Kristopher Leask(O) lost to Patrick Dunn-Thomson(S) 12-21, 11-21 and 5th Jack Scott(O) lost to Ryan Keddie(S) 11-21, 7-21.
4thArchie MacPhail(O) had a real battle with Kieran Flaws(S).The first set was point for point with both players covering every inch of the court and on several occasions the players were diving to the floor to keep the point going - Archie won the first set 27-25. The second set saw Archie secure several points to take the lead at a crucial point and go on to win the match 21-16 giving Orkney their first point for the boys. 3rd Morgan Reid played tough opposition and lost out to the accuracy of Captain Stuart Copland 15-21, 10-21.
2nd Sam Croy narrowly lost out to take his match to a third end against Josie Wishart. The match consisted of powerful smashing and long rallies,eventually with Shetland winning through 21-15, 21-19. Another notable game was at 1st boys between Orkney’s Liam Delday and Shetland’s Dean Guthrie. These two boys have had battles in the past at different age groups. Liam played unbelievable good singles in the first set, frustrating Dean by the consistency and accuracy of his shots. Liam won the first set 21-9. The second set Dean found more accuracy with his powerful smash and Liam had to defend well to keep the rallies going. Liam however never disappoints to produce the goods when needed and won the second set 21-19, giving Orkney their second point for the first round of boys singles.
Orkney 4 Shetland 8
2nd Round Boys Singles results:
In the second round of singles, again Orkney boys found it tough with 6th Kristopher Leask(O) lost out to 5th Ryan Keddie(S) who dominated the game to win 9-21, 9-21but 5th singles Jack Scott(O) played well against 6thP. Nunn- Thomson(S) just losing out in a hard three setter match 21-15, 11-21, 17-21. 4th Archie MacPhail(O) had tough opposition in the form of Shetlands captain 3rdStuart Copland(S) who dominated play winning 9-21, 6-21.
3rdMorgan Reid(O) also had a tough match with 4thK. Flaws(S).The first set saw Kieran win comfortably 21-7, Morgan then found his form in the second to win 21-8. The third set saw Kieran gain an early lead and Morgan found it hard to get back into his previous rhythm that he had in the second set, Kieran won the third 21-7.
2nd Sam Croy(O) fought hard to secure the first set against Dean Guthrie(S) Both boys attacked the shuttle well and it went down to the last points with Shetland taking the first set 20-22. Sam was unable to match Dean’s experience and accuracy as Shetland secured the second set 21-8.
With only one game left in the boy’s singles it was down to 1st boy Liam Delday(O) to make sure it wasn’t a clean sweep for the Shetland boys. Liam showed why he is such a feared singles player by beating Shetland’s number two boy J. Wishart (S)convincingly 21-9, 21-6.
2nd Round Girls Singles results:
6th Amy Johnston(O) lost out to the more consistent play of 5th Chloe Irvine(S) 9-21, 5-21. 5th Megan MacLeod(O) nearly took the first set only losing narrowly 19-21 but 6thgirl Sophie Morris(S) was unstoppable to secure the second set 21-4 & the match.4th Elise Doull(O) was prevented from bringing the match to a third end from strong play by3rd Ashleigh Nisbet(S) 15-21, 17-21.3rd Claire Rendall(O) attacked well throughout her match but narrowly lost out in a closely contested match against 4th Nicole Hughson(S) 19-21, 21-16, 14-21.2nd Alice Scott(O) was overcome by the power & accuracy of 1stgirl Claire Johnston(S) 10-21, 11-21.
1stGirl Emma Work(C) once more secured her second singles match of the day with strong and consistent play in a very close encounter over the experienced 2nd Amy Sineath(S) 24-22, 21-17.
Orkney 2 Shetland 10
Boys/Girls Doubles:
3rdGirls - Megan MacLeod & Amy Johnston(O)placed their shots well to win overShetlands Chloe Irvine& Sophie Morris(S) 21-20, 21-12.
3rd Boys - Archie MacPhail & Kristopher Leask(O) were on form and combined well with good front & back attacking play to beat Ryan Keddie & Patrick Dunn-Thomson(S) 28-26, 21-19.
2nd Girls – Alice Scott & Claire Rendall(O) won a very exciting match against Ashleigh Nisbet & Nicole Hughson(S). Strong attacking play by the Orkney girls claimed the first set 21-16. Shetland fought back to claimthe second setin a close affair 17-21. The third set saw a close battle to the end. Orkney held their nerve to secure the final two points with good attacking play and clinch the match23-21.
2nd Boys - Morgan Reid & Jack Scott(O) never found their true form losing out to Dean Guthrie & Kieran Flaws(S) 11-21, 12-21.
1st Girls – Emma Work(C) & Elise Doull(O) had a tough match and lost to the experienced pairing of Claire Johnston & Amy Sineath(S)8-21, 16-21.
Again the Orkney 1st Boys - Liam Delday(C) & Sam Croy(O) played a blinder to beat Stuart Copland(C) & Josie Wishart(S). This match was played at a standard that some of our senior’s would be proud of - good fast attacking doubles.The first set went to Orkney21-18.Shetland fought back to win the in a very close set 24-22. With all the players and crowd focusing on this one match, the players raised their game another notch and the players couldn’t be separated, reaching 20-20 in the third. With two clear points needed to secure this victory the scores went to 23 all. The crowd and coaches could hardly watch, as each rally was so tense. Liam and Sam found the vital two points needed for victory and the crowd and players applauded both sets of players on the high standard of this game - it was undoubtedly the game of the day.
Orkney 4 Shetland 2
Mixed Doubles
6th- Amy Johnston & Kristopher Leask(O) secured another closely contested match over Sophie Morris & Patrick Dunn-Thomson(S). Orkney just lost out in the first set 20-22.However, good tactical play by Amy & Kristopher allowed them to secure the two remaining sets 21-19, 21-19.
5th - Elise Doull & Jack Scott(O) lost out to strong attacking play by Chloe Irvine & Ryan Keddie(S) 8-21, 15-21.4th Morgan and Megan played well together against A. Nisbet & K. Flaws with each pairing finding it hard to gain a few points lead. Morgan and Megan narrowly lost 18-21, 16-21.
With Archie coverering the court well and Alice cutting off any loose shots at the net, strong attacking play by 3rd - Alice Scott & Archie MacPhail(O) ensured the defeat of the Shetland pairing of Nicole Hughson & Josie Wishart(S) in an exciting match 21-13, 14-21, 21-17. 2nd - Claire Rendall & Sam Croy(O) were unlucky, narrowly losing out to the experienced pairing of Amy Sineath(S) & Stuart Copland(C) 21-23 in the first set. Looking to take the match to a third end, Sam & Claire attacked well to keep upsides with their opponents but unforced errors towards the end of the second set allowed Shetland to claim the set & match 20-22.
1st Mixed- The final game of the day was between Liam Delday & Emma Work(O) against Dean Guthrie and Claire Johnston(S). Liam and Emma controlled much of the first set with Emma punishing any loose nets and Liam finding the spaces in their opponent’s court winning 21-13. The second set was much closer, with long rallies. Liam and Emma sneaked ahead 19-16 and looked as if they were going to finish off the set, but the Shetland pair fought back to take the second set 21-19. In the third set every point was going to be vital, with both sets of players playing to a high standard, it reached 20-20. The Shetland pair then just sneaked ahead winning a truly great match 23-21. It was great for spectators to see both Orkney’s and Shetland’s top players playing at such a high standard.
Orkney 2 Shetland 4
With a final count back of the scores it revealed that Shetland had claimed the trophy, resulting in an overall win for Shetland 24 games to Orkney 12 games. Orkney had competed against a very experienced Shetland team who will lose five of their boys and one girl for next years’ encounter. Well done, to the U15 JIC players for all their efforts on the day and who received great support from the spectators.
All players, officials & spectators gathered round for the raffle draw followed by thepresentation of the trophy. Graham Scott representing official sponsors Northern Developments (Orkney) Ltd presented the Rab Anderson Cup to Shetlands winning captain Stuart Copland.
This was followed by a list of many thanks to our OYDG Committee & parents who had organised accommodation for players and coaches, provided the sumptuous spread of home bakes, sandwiches & savouries & provided transport over the weekend. Also,thanks must go to Cath, Moira & Kitty on the scores tableand to the many members of the A/B county & U18 squad players who came along to help umpire and make this event such a success. The U15 players will have gained much experience from this competitive encounter which they can take into their next matches.
A special mention must go to Busters for the superb meal provided for all the players and coaches on Saturday evening.
Finally, again a big thank you to our official sponsors Northern Developments (Orkney) Ltd to whom we are indebted for sponsoring this prestigious U15 Junior Inter County Badminton match.
EG/EB