Caithness edge a close victory over Shetland
CAITHNESS edged to a 7-5 victory in their annual inter-county badminton match versus Shetland played in Thurso High games hall on Saturday.
The home side lost the two three-setters of the contest while the county’s long-time men’s number one Mark Mackay had the very rare experience of losing both his matches.
With honours shared in the six mixed contests, the outcome was decided on the level doubles, with Caithness winning four of the six ties to retain the silverware in a match which was due to have been played at the end of last season. In the home ranks, John Durrand, Iain Nicolson Benji Mackay and Carole Begg emerged undefeated without conceding a set among them.
The match was followed by an American tournament, where players had the opportunity to partner up with opposing team members. The next inter-county match between Caithness and Shetland will take place in Lerwick in February.
Results (Caithness names first): Men’s doubles – Mark Mackay and Thomas Sutherland lt to Gordon Keith and Roy Irvine 21-16. 18-21, 15-21. John Durrand and Iain Nicolson bt Andrew Hunter and David Sutherland 21-11, 21-14. Benji Mackay and Craig Jappy bt Lewis Fraser and Peter Hunter 21-4, 21-14.
Women’s doubles – Carole Begg and Kate MacNicol bt Laura Guthrie and Annette Gear 21-11, 21-13. Lauren Gunn and Ashley Mcbeath lt to Jenna McDonnell and Aimee Keith 20-22, 19-21. Donna Majilton and Sarah Taylor bt Kathleen Johnston and Caroline Keith 21-15, 22-20.
Mixed doubles – M Mackay and Gunn lt to G Keith and A Keith 17-21, 19-21. Durrand and Begg bt Gear and Irvine 21-10, 21-13. T Sutherland and MacNicol lt to A Hunter and Guthrie 17-21, 18-21.
B Mackay and Majilton bt Fraser and Johnston 21-18, 21-18. Nicolson and Mcbeath bt P Hunter and Keith 21-9, 21-4. Jappy and Taylor lt to D Sutherland and McDonnell 14-21, 21-19, 11-21.