Intersport Orkney Open Championships 2006
The Intersport Orkney Open badminton tournament was competed for recently in the Kirkwall Grammar School. This competition, now in it’s eleventh year saw a fantastic entry which included a total of sixty four competitors with twenty eight of them having travelled from Caithness and Shetland.
This competition was for most players the first time they had competed using the new scoring system which consists of the best of three games, first to twenty one with a point being won for every rally played regardless of who serves.
The mens singles first round saw Trevor Kinghorn play well to win a close game against Caithness player Thomas Sutherland. Event sponsor Ian Gorn played extremely well to push hot favourite Mark Mackay from Caithness to a close two set game in the second round. Trevor Kinghorn’s challenge was halted by Ross Groundwater in the quarter finals in a fiercely competed three set game. Mark Mackay gained passage through to the final after beating Shetland players Davie Thomson and Jason Jamieson in the Quarter final and Semi-final respectively. John Durrand from Caithness who’s game has shown a marked improvement in the last two years overcame Ross Groundwater in the other semi-final to make it an all Caithness final.
With both players in the final knowing each others games inside out they’re were always going to be a few long punishing rallies along the way. Whilst John had been playing well to reach the final, to beat Mark is a different proposition as many have found out in the past. After a well contested match it was Mark’s coverage of the court, power and ability to play his way out of trouble which once again was the difference between him and his opponent as he retained his singles title in two sets 21/15,21/14.
Christine West beat up and coming Caithness junior Michelle Cowie in two close sets in the first round of the ladies singles. Cath Bremner played well in the semi-finals against number one seed Suzanne Henderson from Shetland, Cath losing in two close sets. One of the best matches of the tournament was won by Annette Gear from Shetland who beat Christine West in a battle royale in three close sets. Annetts’s efforts in beating Christine took it’s toll in the final as she struggled with fatigue through the game but still showed an amazing determination which was inspiring to watch, however it was ex-Shetland player Suzanne Henderson who triumphed to win in two sets, Suzanne showing good mobility and fitness in winning the trophy.
The mens doubles draw paired juniors Gary Nicolson and Ethan Bews against favourites John Durrand and Mark Mackay. Gary and Ethan can be proud of the way they played against such strong opposition and showed that in a few years they will difficult opposition for anyone to beat. The first semi-final was an excellent game with Caithness pairing James Henderson and Sam Campbell giving John Durrand and Mark Mackay a real fright in an exhilarating game just losing 21/19,25/23. Colin Grant and Jason Jamieson from Shetland got the better of local pairing Ross Groundwater and Eoin Ballantine in the other semi, winning in two sets.
The final saw some frantic action and some awesome smashing as all four players were giving their all to win the trophy. In the end it was John and Mark’s greater consistency that won them the trophy in two fairly close fought sets with a scoreline of 21/16,21-17.
Isla Slater and Ruth Flett played well against a strong Shetland with the sheltie’s progressing to the next round. Melanie Sclater and Lynn Cursiter almost caused an upset with a terrific performance against the experienced pairing of Elspeth MacLellan and Christine West, Mel and Lynn narrowly losing 21/19 in the final set. Elaine Gray and Moira Nicolson couldn’t quite get the better of Suzanne Henderson and Anne Wood from Shetland as they lost in two close sets. Elspeth MacLellan and Chrsitine West progressed to the final after an excellent two set win over number one seeds Carol Mowat and Casey Sangster from Caithness.
The final saw an excellent game of ladies doubles that saw both sets of players dominate for long periods of time. Suzanne and Ann winning the first set 21/11 only for Elspeth and Christine to hit back in style winning the second set 21/14. The final set began evenly with the scoreine reaching 9-all. From this point on it was the Shetland pairing of Suzanne and Ann who remained the more focused and thus winning the title with a 21-12 scoreline in the deciding set.
The mixed doubles event had many close games throughout all the rounds played with some games being won or lost with nothing to separate the players. The first semi-final saw Christine West and Eoin Ballantine played very well in eventually losing to Michelle Cowie and Mark Mackay in three sets. Carol Mowat and John Durrand played well to beat the very experienced Ann Wood and Colin Grant in three close sets to reach the final. An all Caithness final was won by Michelle and Mark in two sets with Mark having just too much in his armoury and Michelle playing good mixed doubles shots to keep the pressure on their opponents. Final score 21/17,21/14 in Michelle’s and Mark’s favour.
The plate competitions were eagerly contested as ever with Thomas Sutherland beating Marty Flett 21/15,21/15 to win the mens singles. Debbie Stewart beat Michelle Cowie 21/17 to win the ladies singles. Owen Strachan and Stephen Clark beat Thomas Sutherland and Pher Nicolson 21/18,21/18 to win the mens doubles. Debbie Stewart and Michelle Cowie beat Isla Slater and Ruth Flett 21/7 to win the ladies doubles and Kim MacKintosh and Robbie Norquoy beat Ruth Flett and Gary Nicolson 21/11,21/17 to win the mixed doubles.
One of the most encouraging things about the competition was the number of juniors from Orkney and Caithness who competed which can only bode well for the future.
Orkney Badminton Association would like to thank all the competitors for taking part in making the tournament such a success and to Ian Gorn of Intersport, Albert Street for sponsoring the event. The next ‘Open’ event in the north of Scotland will be held in Caithness in February, hopefully a large squad of Orkney players will travel and compete in the event. CR
Prizewinners back row l to r: Owen Strachan, Suzanne Henderson, Thomas Sutherland,
John Durrand, Mark Mackay.
Front row: Stephen Clark, Ann Wood, Michelle Cowie, Debbie Stewart:
Missing from photo - Robbie Norquoy & Kim MacKintosh