SSBU Area Qualifying Badminton Competition
On Friday 31st October a group of 11 players representing the KirkwallGrammar School travelled to Inverness to compete in the SSBU Area Qualifying Badminton Competition. All players competed in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
The U14 & U16 age groups competed at the Inverness Aquadome under the supervision of Group Leader Ms Cath Bremner. The U14 age group were represented by Owen Reid, Matthew Reid, Rhian MacKay & Ami Garriock. They all competed well in the singles & mixed doubles competition but were knocked out in the earlier rounds. However, the doubles partnerships of Rhian & Ami and Matthew & Owen were successful in their matches to make it to the finals. Rhian & Ami were unable to overcome their opponents losing in two sets but came away with runner-up medals. Matthew & Owen had a competitive three set match in which they came out triumphant winning 1st place medals.
The U16 age group were represented by Magnus Wylie, Alison Shearer & Gemma Smith. They competed well in all three events - singles, doubles & mixed doubles but with the high standard of play they departed the competition in the earlier rounds.
The U19 age group were represented by Rebecca Reid, Chelsea Cook, Ewan Gray & David Delday. Players played in singles, doubles & mixed doubles and travelled out to the Leisure Centre, Fotrose with Leader Elaine Gray.
In the girls singles Chelsea Cook came up against second seed Beth Skipsey(Fortrose) and lost out in two sets. Rebecca Reid won her first round comfortably against Kirsty McLeod(Wick) and her place in the final.
Beth Skipsey(Fortrose) and Rebecca Reid had a tough three set match which Rebecca won claiming 1st place medal. She, also, triumphed in the ladies doubles with Chelsea Cook winning over Beth Skipsey & Jessica Thomson(Fortrose) in a nail biting three sets.
David Delday won his first round in the singles against James Fraser(Fortrose) but came up against stiff opposition losing out against Richard Green(Nairn). Ewan Gray lost out in a very close three set match against Ryan Jones(Thurso).
However, Ewan & David fared better in the level doubles coming away with 2nd place medals against the very strong pairing of Richard Green & Owen Turner(Nairn).
In the mixed doubles, David & Rebecca won their first round comfortably against Calvin Cupid & Kathryn Offer(NI) in two sets reaching the final. It resulted in a tough three set match against Greg Lobban & Joanna Shepherd(Fortrose) who beat Ewan & Chelsea earlier. However, Rebecca & David won the three setter match to claim first position - and the triple for Rebecca winning all three events.
This was a very successful trip and the medal winners can look forward
to competing in the next stage in Perth in March. Thanks go to Cath Bremner & Elaine Gray for organising the trip.