As There Was a Big Entry All the Games up Until the Finals and Medal Play-Offs Were Played

Sunday, 22nd January saw the Primary School Badminton Tournament being held at Picky. There was a healthy entry for the boys’ events; entries in the girls were perhaps a little down on last year but the smaller entry certainly didn’t mean any drop in standard. For many of the players it was their first ever tournament and one competitor (Samuel Murray) took up badminton less than two weeks ago. There was generally a high standard of play throughout, and everyone was very sporting – it was great to see such enthusiasm from all the young players.

As there was a big entry all the games up until the finals and medal play-offs were played on a timed basis, each game being 7 minutes long.

First on court was the Boys’ Singles. In the first round there were 3 particularly close games; Samuel Murray had a close game against Duncan Maclean, with Samuel coming out winner 9-5. Scott Davidson and Thorfinn Manson had a real battle, with both players showing great determination. In the end when the whistle blew for time it was a draw; as Scott was serving he went through as the winner. Erlend Prendergast had a good game against Jamie Anderson, with a lot of long rallies; Erlend winning 10-7.

In the second round Ross Hamilton and Graham Bain had an extremely close, hard-fought game, with Ross coming out victor 16-15. Steven MacPhail put up a good fight against Ryan Major, making him work hard for his 11-5 victory.

By the quarter finals it was looking like all the games were going to be close. Liam Delday beat Callum Lewis 13-7 in a good game, with both players using a good range of strokes. Callum knew exactly which shots he should be playing the whole time but he made a few too many errors while Liam’s play was consistent throughout the game. Jamie Firth and Scott Davidson had a close game which Jamie won 14-11. Theo Prendergast and Matthew Reid had a real battle, with both players making full use of a wide range of strokes. Theo eventually won 12-11. In the last quarter-final Ryan Major beat Ross Hamilton 20-3; although Ross played well, Ryan’s well placed shots kept him comfortably ahead throughout the game.

In the first semi-final Liam Delday beat Jamie Firth 8-6, and in the second Theo Prendergast beat Ryan Major 12-11. These were both very good games, with all four players showing how much they have improved over the past year. All four were trying to move their opponents about the court and all used a good range of shots.

The final was then set between Liam and Theo. Theo got off to a strong start and took an early lead. When he was 6-0 up Liam started fighting back, and as he gradually caught up Theo’s nerves started to show and he started making a few errors. Liam’s drop shots were particularly good and he used them to good effect. With a big crowd watching and after an exciting match, Liam finally took the title 11-7.

Ryan and Jamie then had to play off for the bronze medal. Ryan’s wide range of shots forced Jamie all over the court and put him under pressure, and although Jamie put up a good fight, Ryan took the bronze medal with an 11-2 victory.

In the Boys' Singles Plate there were a lot of close and exciting games. Simon Loudon beat Joe Sutherland 12-9 in a hard-fought encounter. Duncan Maclean had a great match against Andrew Reid, narrowly winning 9-8. Thorfinn Manson and Jamie Anderson had a very close game, Thorfinn winning through 11-9.

In the second round Simon Loudon again had a close game, this time narrowly losing out to Jason Cook 9-7 with both boys running down every shot and refusing to concede any points.

In the semi-finals Matthew Reid had a comfortable win over Jason Cook. Steven MacPhail and Thorfinn Manson had a close and exciting game which Steven won 7-5.

The final, between Matthew and Steven was another very close game full of extremely long rallies. Steven got off to an early lead, then Matthew caught up. Matthew then went into the lead, but Steven fought back again to level the game at 9 all. Matthew then managed to hold his nerve to win 11-9.

In the Girls' Singles the seeds mostly won through their early games comfortably, although Stephanie Moar pushed Judith Bonner close in the first round, with Judith winning 10-8.

The semi-finals were both keenly contested games, which were exciting for the spectators to watch. All four girls displayed good knowledge of tactics and showed they had a good range of shots, really making each other work hard and all were covering the court well. In the end, Aimee Drever beat Helen Moar 11-10 and Judith Bonner beat Fiona Moar 11-7.

The final was then between Aimee and Judith. Again it was a good game, with both girls fighting hard for every point. After a close and exciting encounter, Aimee took the title 11-9.

The bronze medal play-off was between Fiona Moar and her twin sister Helen. After a very good game Fiona took the medal 11-4, although the score doesn’t reflect how close the game really was.

In the Girls' Singles Plate Stephanie Moar and Catriona Ward won through to the final fairly comfortably. The final was another close game, Stephanie narrowly winning 11-8.

After the singles titles had been decided it was on to the doubles competitions.

In the early rounds of the boys’ doubles there were a few very close games. In the first round Jamie Firth and Ryan Williams beat Ross Hamilton and Scott Norquoy 12-9, then in the second round Jamie and Ryan had another particularly close game, this time narrowly losing out 11-12 to Owen Reid and Joe Sutherland who played particularly well. Graham Bain and Theo Prendergast had an exciting game against Simon Loudon and Samuel Murray, with Theo and Graham finally winning 10-7. Simon and Samuel displayed good teamwork, particularly commendable as they have only been playing together for such a short time. Graham and Theo have been unable to practise together recently as Theo has been injured, and this did show in a lack of teamwork, although this improved as the competition progressed.

Matthew Reid and Thorfinn Manson did well to beat Liam Delday and Callum Lewis 11-3. Although Liam and Callum played well, Matthew and Thorfinn’s teamwork was particularly good with them seeming to know exactly who should go for every shot. Thorfinn dealt particularly well with Liam’s drop shots, the only player all day that coped so well with them.

Both semi-finals were good games, ending with Scott Davidson and Ryan Major, and Graham Bain and Theo Prendergast winning through to the final, the scores being 10-4 in both games. The final was an exciting game to watch, with a lot of good rallies. All four boys played some good badminton, but in the end Ryan and Scott’s obvious determination not to lose and Ryan’s particularly good placing of the shuttle and cross-court smashes took him and Scott to the title 11-3.

In the bronze medal play-off Matthew Reid and Thorfinn Manson beat Joe Sutherland and Owen Reid 11-3.

In the boys' doubles plate Sean Ryrie and Duncan Maclean beat Andrew Reid and Matthew Anderson in a close game, 11-7. Liam Delday and Callum Lewis comfortably beat Fionn Webb and Ewan Miller 23-1. Ross Hamilton and Scott Norquoy had a good game against Steven MacPhail and Jamie Anderson, with Ross and Scott winning 14-8.

In the semi-finals Murray Hay and Sean Munson had a hard-fought game against Sean Ryrie and Duncan Maclean, which Murray and Sean won 14-10. Ross Hamilton and Scott Norquoy had a great game against Liam Delday and Callum Lewis, with first one side leading, then the other. It ended up a draw at 10-10; as Ross and Scott were serving they were declared winners. The final, between Ross/Scott and Murray/Sean, was another close, exciting game. Ross and Scott were the stronger players, but Murray and Sean were fighting hard and returning a lot of good shots. Ross and Scott were made to work hard for every point, but they came through to win won 11-7.

Last but certainly not least was the girls’ doubles. In the first round Jody Spence and Susie Manson had an extremely close game against Catriona Ward and Stephanie Moar, with Jody and Susie narrowly winning 7-6.

Both semi-finals were good games, but both ended with the seeded pairs winning fairly comfortably. Aimee Drever and Helen Moar beat Jody Spence and Susie Manson 15-5, while Fiona Moar and Judith Bonner beat Isla Kirkness and Alana Swanney 12-5.

The final was of a high standard, with both pairs fighting hard for every point. All four girls were covering the court well and displaying good teamwork. After a long, hard-fought game Aimee Drever and Helen Moar eventually beat Fiona Moar and Judith Bonner 11-5. Susie and Jody then beat Isla and Alana to take the bronze medal.

The girls doubles plate final should have been between Catriona Ward and Stephanie Moar, and Paula Bonner and Lily Patching. Unfortunately Lily had to leave before they had a chance to play it, so Catriona and Stephanie became plate winners.

Congratulations go to all the winners, and also to everyone who took part in what was a fun and good-natured, very sporting tournament.

Thanks to all the helpers, especially the juniors who umpired so many games.

The Primary School team competition is on 23rd April and it is hoped to see a good turnout of schools for that competition. And the Under 13 doubles will be held on 5th February; hopefully most of the players who entered the Primary tournament will also feel able to enter the Under 13 doubles tournament. FM

Full Results:

Boys' Singles

First Round:

Liam Delday beat Owen Reid; Scott Norquoy beat Thomas Spencer; Callum Lewis beat Joe Sutherland; Jamie Firth beat Ross Slater; Sean Munson beat Jason Cook; Scott Davidson beat Thorfinn Manson; Erlend Prendergast beat Jamie Anderson; Theo Prendergast beat Simon Loudon; Samuel Murray beat Duncan Maclean; Graham Bain beat Murray Hay; Ross Hamilton beat Andrew Reid; Ryan Major beat Ewan Miller

Second Round:

Liam Delday beat Scott Norquoy; Callum Lewis beat Fionn Webb; Jamie Firth beat Scott Munson; Scott Davidson beat Erlend Prendergast; Theo Prendergast beat Samuel Murray; Ross Hamilton beat Graham Bain; Ryan Major beat Steven MacPhail

Third round:

Liam Delday beat Callum Lewis; Jamie Firth beat Scott Davidson; Theo Prendergast beat Matthew Reid; Ryan Major beat Ross Hamilton

Semi-Finals:

Liam Delday beat Jamie Firth; Theo Prendergast beat Ryan Major

3rd/4th play-off:

Ryan Major beat Jamie Firth

Final:

Liam Delday beat Theo Prendergast

Boys' Singles Plate

First Round:

Simon Loudon beat Joe Sutherland; Jason Cook beat Murray Hay; Matthew Reid beat Owen Reid; Ewan Miller beat Fionn Webb; Steven MacPhail beat Ross Slater; Duncan Maclean beat Andrew Reid; Thorfinn Manson beat Jamie Anderson

Second Round:

Jason Cook beat Simon Loudon; Matthew Reid beat Ewan Miller; Steven MacPhail beat Thomas Spencer; Thorfinn Manson beat Duncan Maclean

Semi-Finals:

Matthew Reid beat Jason Cook; Steven MacPhail beat Thorfinn Manson

Final:

Matthew Reid beat Steven MacPhail

Girls' Singles

First Round:

Jody Spence beat Isla Kirkness; Helen Moar beat Paula Bonner; Susie Manson beat Catriona Ward

Second Round:

Aimee Drever beat Jody Spence ; Helen Moar beat Lily Patching; Fiona Moar beat Susie Manson; Judith Bonner beat Stephanie Moar

Semi-Finals:

Aimee Drever beat Helen Moar; Judith Bonner beat Fiona Moar

3rd/4th play-off:

Fiona Moar beat Helen Moar

Final:

Aimee Drever beat Judith Bonner

Girls' Singles Plate

First Round:

Isla Kirkness beat Lily Patching

Semi-Finals:

Stephanie Moar beat Paula Bonner; Catriona Ward beat Isla Kirkness

Final:

Stephanie Moar beat Catriona Ward

Boys' Doubles

First Round:

Matthew Reid/Thorfinn Manson beat Sean Ryrie/Duncan Maclean; Ross Slater/Erlend Prendergast beat Murray Hay/Sean Munson; Scott Davidson/Ryan Major beat Fionn Webb/Ewan Miller; Jamie Firth/Ryan Williams beat Ross Hamilton/Scott Norquoy; Joe Sutherland/Owen Reid beat Andrew Reid/Matthew Anderson; Simon Loudon/Samuel Murray beat Steven MacPhail/Jamie Anderson

Second Round:

Matthew Reid/Thorfinn Manson beat Liam Delday/Callum Lewis; Scott Davidson/Ryan Major beat Ross Slater/Erlend Prendergast; Joe Sutherland/Owen Reid beat Jamie Firth/Ryan Williams; Graham Bain/Theo Prendergast beat Simon Loudon/Samuel Murray

Semi-Finals:

Scott Davidson/Ryan Major beat Matthew Reid/Thorfinn Manson; Graham Bain/Theo Prendergast beat Joe Sutherland/Owen Reid

3rd/4th play-off:

Matthew Reid/Thorfinn Manson beat Joe Sutherland/Owen Reid

Final

Scott Davidson/Ryan Major beat Graham Bain/Theo Prendergast

Boys' Doubles Plate

First Round:

Sean Ryrie/Duncan Maclean beat Andrew Reid/Matthew Anderson; Liam Delday/Callum Lewis beat Fionn Webb/Ewan Miller; Ross Hamilton/Scott Norquoy beat Steven MacPhail/Jamie Anderson

Semi-Finals:

Murray Hay/Sean Munson beat Sean Ryrie/Duncan Maclean; Ross Hamilton/Scott Norquoy beat Liam Delday/Callum Lewis

Final:

Ross Hamilton/Scott Norquoy beat Murray Hay/Sean Munson

Girls' Doubles

First Round:

Jody Spence/Susie Manson beat Catriona Ward/Stephanie Moar; Isla Kirkness/Alana Swanney beat Paula Bonner/Lily Patching

Semi-Finals:

Aimee Drever/Helen Moar beat Jody Spence/Susie Manson; Fiona Moar/Judith Bonner beat Isla Kirkness/Alana Swanney

3rd/4th play-off:

Susie Manson/Jody Spence beat Isla Kirkness/Alana Swanney

Final:

Aimee Drever/Helen Moar beat Fiona Moar/Judith Bonner

Girls' Doubles Plate

Final: Catriona Ward/Stephanie Moar beat Paula Bonner/Lily Patching

FM