Restricted Championships - Season 2001-2002

This event is held for any of the county league players - but, NOT, the named 'A' Team individuals who have been mentioned at the CBA committee meeting.

Some excellent performances from the 'wildcards' of the restricted championships - helped to stir-up a good atmosphere, to a slightly smaller than usual tournament.
One competitor returned, namely Alan 'Jimmy' Farquhar, after 19 years of hibernation to the sport - to show us his skills and just to prove there is life after football.

Winners:-

• Mens Singles - Sean Henstridge - Castletown
  Benji was out to secure another victory in the singles but young Sean is starting to mature and find his feet on the badminton court. With this in mind, Benji's hard hitting smashes proved no problem to return and position into the free spaces.
  Sean lifted the title in two sets 15-7, 15-10.
• Womens Singles - Jill Turner - Wick
  This title had Jill's name already on it, you would have thought. But, Michelle Lancaster returning from a few years rest from the sport, was very close to removing Jill from the top spot.
  A tough first game went to a tie breaker, which Michelle, coolly, took 10-11. Jill stepped up the pace in the second to win 11-5 and was glad to see the finishing line, with a photo finish, winning 11-9 an dby 2 sets to 1.
• Mens Doubles - Russell Craigie (Halkirk)& Benji Mackay (Wick)
  Experience was the name of the game in the Mens Doubles final.
  The new pairing of Benji and Russell had too many extra tricks and flicks, for the young pairing of Sean and Martyn to defend against.
  A tight first game had some long rallies with both pairings defending and attacking the net well - but the older die-hards pulled through, and flattered themselves, with a 15-8 scoreline.
  The second followed the same detail as the first and the partnership of Benji and Russell lifted the title with a 15-7 win.
• Womens Doubles - Eileen Manson & Marina Finlayson - Miller Calder
  This was the giant killing match of the tournament.
  Eileen and Marina had already disposed of the number one seeds, Jill and Aileen from Wick - but they wanted the other Wick partnership, now. And by god did they get them.
  Eileen's legendary side, flick, slice, tip, backspin, net cross court thingie shot was coming off a treat, for a change, and Marina was using her power to kill the rallies - which the opponents couldn't handle, giving the underdogs a 2-0 win - 15-7, 17-15.
• Mixed Doubles - Benji Mackay & Michelle Lancaster - Wick
  After Michelle lost in both the other finals and Benji's singles crown was taken from him, this pairing were blowing fire, scraping their feet like a matador's bull and could out stare anyone in a staring competition........ They were full of aggression in other words.
  Anyway, Benji managed to push Russell into the corners and Michelle matched Jill at the net, completing a well executed final, winning by 2-0, 15-10, 15-8.
• Mixed Doubles Plate - Stuart Greig & Isabel Mackay - Dunnet
  It was decided to have a plate competition in this event, at the last minute.
  It ended up being an all Dunnet affair and Stuart Greig and Isabel Mackay beat Sandy Sutherland and Susan Craigie, 21-14.

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