ORKNEY v SHETLAND UNDER 18 INTER COUNTY
On Sunday 12 march the Annual Junior Inter County badminton match between Orkney and Shetland took place in the KGS Hall at 1-00pm.
The competition was to be well supported by spectators. Both the U13 Orkney & Shetland junior badminton teams came to watch their peers perform and the Senior B county players from Orkney and Shetland gave their support. Many good games were anticipated so without further to do the boys and girls singles took to the courts.
2nd Ladies singles: Hannah Johnston(O) played shetland opponent Laura Guthrie(S). Both girls took some time to settle into the match and struggled keeping serve in. It was Laura(S) who attacked well and gained a substantial lead to take the first set 11-2. Hannah set to task and stalled her opponent by playing some good clears and cross drops to gain points but it was Laura who maintained her form to secure the second set 11-4.
2nd Boys Singles: Orkneys U18 winner Gary Nicolson(O) had his work cut out against the experienced Sam Wood(S). This was a very entertaining match played of a high standard. Gary produced some fine tactical play throughout his match and produced excellent deception in his shots. However, it was Sams agility round court and well executed jump smash which secured his win on the day 11-3, 11-5.
1st Ladies Singles: Laura Gray(O) was up against Shetlands Kylie Wood, both players singles winners in their age group. Shetland started strongly and romped away with the first set 11-1 as Laura took some time to settle into her match. In the second set Kylie took an early lead 7-1 but Laura battled her way back to draw 8-8 putting her attacking clears and lethal smash into action. Both players rallied for control as the match levelled again at 9 all. Laura was unlucky to take the match to three sets as it was Kylie who clinched the last nail biting two points to win the last set 11-9.
1st Mens Singles: Robert Miller(O) was up against the tough opposition
of Brett Haining(S). Again Shetland were quick off the mark and secured the first set 11-1. Robert fought hard against tough opposition and produced some fine net shots throughout this match. However, he could not contain the constant attacking badminton from the more powerful Brett Haining who pulled ahead taking the second set and the match 11-3.
With the singles finished it saw Shetland take the lead 4-0 as the level doubles commenced.
2nd Ladies Doubles: Orkneys Jane Hill & Isla Slater and Shetlands Kylie Wood & Lisa Haining produced another exciting match. The first set went point for point with setting at 14 all. With some excellent attacking play from Jane at the back of the court and Isla commanding the front, a very switched on Orkney pairing clinched the first set 17-14. The second set was another thrilling set with good rallies. However, it was a very determined Kylie & Lisa(S) who found gaps in the orkney defence to win the second set in a nail biting 15-12. The third set saw the experienced shetland pairing pull ahead but Orkney fought hard only to loose out 15-6 - a great performance by Jane & Isla against the U16 Highland Restricted winners.
2nd Mens Doubles - Gary Nicolson & Ethan Bews(O) played Shane Jamieson & Ramsay Hogg(S). This was to be one of the most entertaining matches of the day. A great competion was expected between the pairings and we were not to be disappointed. The first set saw both players attacking the shuttle well and stretching each others defences. This lead to many exciting rallies which saw Ethan Bews scrambling on the floor to retrieve the shuttle. The Orkney pair seemed to loose concentration and played unecessary lifts for which they were punished. Shane & Ramsay were on attacking mode causing problems for the Orkney boys who went down 15-5. With a change of tactics in the third set Gary & Ethan(O) were back on track. Their experienced partnership attacked well and stretched ahead 15-8 to secure Orkneys first match of the day.
1st Ladies Doubles - Spectators saw another exciting match when
Orkneys U18 winners Laura Gray(Captain) & Hannah Johnston took to the court against Louise Hunter & Laura Guthrie(S). Orkney served well and immediately went on the attack. Hannah produced some fine net play which allowed Laura to use her powerful smash on the lift and they took the first set comfortably 15-8. Louise & Laura(S) made a good comeback in the second set. They gained crucial points in the latter stages on unforced errors made by the Orkney pairing taking the second set 15-12. However, Laura & Hannah(O) were fired up for the third set and found their true form again. As there confidence grew they were quick on the attack using their power to clinch the third set convincingly 15-6 to give Orkney their second game of the day.
1st Mens: Robert Miller & Paul Bain(O) were up against the tough opposition of Brett Haining & Sam Wood(S). Orkney struggled to get to grips with their opponents as they ran away with the first set 15-0. The Orkney boys rallied back in spells but unfortunately were never allowed to find their true form losing out in the second set 15-3.
As the Mixed doubles commenced the score saw Orkney 2 Shetland 5.
4th Mixed - Ethan Bews & Jane Hill(O) had a very exciting three setter against Ramsay Hogg & Laura Guthrie(S). Ramsay & Laura(S) took control of the first set winning 15-7. The determined Orkney pair played more to true to form in the second set. Remaining focused, they attacked well securing the last few points to win the second set 15-12. The third set was thrilling to watch with Ethan again retrieving the shuttle from the ground in several of the rallies. However, on the day it was Shetland who secured the final points to win in a close 15-11.
3rd Mixed: Another marathon match took place between rivals Laura Gray & Gary Nicolson(O) and Lisa Haining & Shane Jamieson(S). Shetland secured the first set 15-7 but Orkney attacked well to take the second set 15-10. The third set saw many exciting rallies with some excellent tactical play from both pairings. Laura & Gary took the lead 11-6 but unforced errors cost the pair dearly as the shetland pairing dug deep to win 15-11.
2nd Mixed: Hannah Johnston & Paul Bain (O) played the sister and brother pairing of Kylie Wood & Sam Wood(S). Hannah & Paul fought hard but
Sam & Kylie(S) never let them find their true form as they powered their way to win both sets 15-3, 15-3.
1st Mixed: Orkneys U18 mixed doubles winners Isla Slater & Robert Miller had their work cut out as they took on Brett Haining & Louise Hunter(S) in the last match of the day. Robert & Isla combined well throughout this match gaining valuable points but they were overcome by the power of the shetland pairing 15-6, 15-6.
The final score saw a victory for the Shetland team: Orkney 2 - Shetland 10.
President Stevie Harvey thanked R S Rendall, Building Contractor for their sponsorship of the Junior Inter County match. He welcolmed past junior/ senior inter county player Loraine Bradley to present the Peterson Shield to Shetlands winning captain Brett Haining. Captain of the Orkney team, Laura Gray thanked organisers, umpires, line judges and spectators for making the day a success. She thanked the Shetland team for a very competative match and finally to the Orkney team who had given a great performance on the day.
Orkney will loose the strong partnership of Laura & Hannah while Shetland will loose Brett Haining & Sam Wood but all the other players will be well matched for next years inter county match.
This was a big improvement on Orkneys performance as five of the matches went to three sets with Orkney just loosing out in three of them. There were obvious signs that Orkney has Shetland in their sights and that their next encounter will be much closer.
The OBA would like to thank all families who kept adults and children for the extended period over the weekend due to the bad weather.
Finally, many thanks to Gornsport Intersport for their continued sponsorship of the U13 Squad.
E Gray