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 Intersport (Ortak) Open - Season 2007-2008 - 02&03/11/07 The Intersport Orkney Open Championships took place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd November in the Kirkwall Grammar School games hall. The event, now in it's 12th year attracted entries from Edinburgh, Keith, Caithness and Shetland. Play commenced on the Friday night with the singles events. report provided by Calvin Reid, Orkney
The first round of the mens singles saw good wins for Mat Orchard, who recently moved to Orkney against Gary McKenzie from Keith. Gary Nicolson overcame more experienced player Kevin Denver, Kevin also having recently moved to Orkney from Shetland. David Delday played well against Abdul Mkith from Caithness before eventually losing in three sets. In the quarter finals, Eoin Ballantine, the number one seed also had a difficult game against Abdul eventually winning a marathon first set by thirty points to twenty eight, Eion going on to win the second set more comfortably. Orcadian Andy Johnston, now serving with the R.A.F. won a close encounter with Matt Orchard, Andy winning in three sets and in a repeat of the Orkney Singles final last season, Ross Groundwater got the better of Gary Nicolson winning in two sets. Davie Thompson from Shetland succumbed to injury in his semi-final against Eion Ballantine whilst Ross Groundwater overcame Andy Johnston in two sets. For the first time in the event's history the mens singles final would be competed for by two Orcadian's with Eion being the slight favourite. The match was very evenly poised throughout the game with long hard hitting rallies and both players showing high levels of fitness and tactical awareness. The eventual winner was Ross who maintained a calm head throughout the match and played an intelligent game. Final score was 21-19/21-18. Well done to both players for an entertaining final. The ladies singles saw young Rebecca Reid finally winning an exciting close two set match against the very experienced Cath Bremner. Joanne Pottinger came close but eventually lost to Michelle Cowie from Caithness in two sets. The semi-finals saw Moira Nicolson win through comfortably to the final in a two set win over Michelle Cowie whilst Rebecca Reid played very well against the very strong number one seed from Edinburgh, Carolyn Young. Carolyn securing her place in the final winning the second set 21-19. The final saw Carolyn take an early lead against Moira and she continued to push forward her advantage to win the first set 21-8. Moira began to play better in the second set but the player from Edinburgh had too much firing power and experience of singles play and went on to win the second set and the title 21-12. Well done to both players. The mens doubles began with a very close game with young Abdul Mkith and Stephen Hill from Caithness eventually winning against experienced local pair Marty Flett and Robbie Norquoy. The first big shock of the day came as Neil Riach and Gary McKenzie from Keith got the better of orcadian and sponsor Ian Gorn and playing partner Keith Donald from Edinburgh. Stuart Slater and Trevor Kinghorn overcame Abdul Mkith and Stephen in three close sets while Davie Thompson from Shetland Andy Johnston narrowly beat Calvin Reid and Gary Nicolson. Eion Ballantine and Ross Groundwater over came Davie and Andy in the first semi-final whilst Stu Slater and Trevor Kinghorn secured a place in the final by beating Neil Riach and Gary McKenzie in two close sets. Thus, the mens doubles final would be another all Orkney affair. The first set was even at 8-all but from here Ross and Eion would break away to secure the first 21-12. Stu and Trev re-grouped and discussed their tactics before the second game and this seemed to work as they secured an early lead. Ross and Eion fought back and the scores remained level. Both sets of players were playing well and there was some very exciting rallies for the spectators to enjoy. Ross and Eion managed to gain that vital few points that secured them the trophy winning the second set 21-18. Well done to both sets of players for a very well fought final. The ladies doubles saw Jane Hill and Joanne Pottinger record a fine win against Debbie Stewart and Michelle Cowie, Jane and Joanne winning in a close three sets. Rebecca Reid and Carolyn Young won a very close three set match against Lynn Cursiter and Christine West in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals Lindsay Robertson and Kim Atkinson from Edinburgh showed their intent to win the title with a strong performance against top local pair Moira Nicolson and Elaine Gray, Lindsay and Kim winning in two sets. The experienced pairing Carole Mowat and Casey Sangster overcame Carolyn and Rebecca in the other semi-final but Rebecca can take great heart from her performances against much more experienced players. In the final the first set was won by Carole and Casey 21-12, but the Lindsay and Kim would fight back to secure a third set winning the second 21-9. The third set was very tense and exciting but in the end the Caithness pair of Carole and Casey pulled off a fantastic victory winning the final game 21-16. An excellent game of ladies doubles. The mixed doubles commenced with Jane Hill and Robbie Norquoy gaining an excellent win over Jane Grant from Caithness and Calum Flett. Eoin Ballantine and Christine West had to battle overcome Casey Sangster and Neil Riach in three close sets. Number one seeds Carolyn Young and Keith Donald overcame Lindsay Robertson and Ross Groundwater in two sets to reach the final whilst Kim Atkinson and Ian Gorn recorded a hard and well fought win against Chrsitine West and Eion Ballantine to secure their place in the final. With Ian Gorn now being a club member of his partner and his opponents it was going to be a really close match with both sets of players knowing the others games inside out. Ian and Kim battled their way to win the first set 24-22 before losing the second 21-15. The crowd were enjoying the long hard rallies between both sets of players. Carolyn and Keith would prove to be the eventual winners securing the final set 21-19. A cracking game and thoroughly worth watching. 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 people who had some part in running and organising the event, competitors for taking part in making the tournament such a success and to Ian Gorn of Intersport, Albert Street for sponsoring the event. Winners:-
Photos - (from Carole Mowat)
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