Caithness players enjoy success in Highland Open 'B' grade tournament
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Highland Open "B" grade tournament held in the Black Isle Leisure Centre was the last competition on this season's calender for the Caithness players and they had a successful weekend.
More than 70 competitors travelled to battle it out for the coveted titles in singles, level doubles and mixed doubles. Players from as far as afield as Shetland and the Borders travelled to Fortrose to compete in the ranking tournament.
With all formats being elimination A, B, C, it guaranteed three matches per player in each event, and there were many hard-fought tough games over the two days.
Saturday started with some very spirited and exciting level doubles. Lots of three setters and setting matches throughout the day.
The men's doubles A final was the best match of the weekend, an epic battle in which Caithness duo Martyn Cook and Mark Mackay showed sheer stealth and determination against Danny Robson (Lanark) and Callum Smith (Borders). After losing the first set 13-21 the Caithness pair saved match point in the second set to take it 26-24 and then went on to win the third set 21-14.
Third place was secured by John Durrand (Caithness) and Andrew Reid (Orkney).
Winners of the C final were Euan Jappy and Mark McCoustra (both Caithness).
Ladies' doubles A final winners were Shona Mackay (Caithness) and Erin Waddell (Glasgow SofS), while runners-up were the unseeded pairing Kirsty Grant and Beckie Gunn (both Caithness).
Ladies' doubles C final winners were Rebecca Mayer (Caithness) and Molly Mackay (Inverness) in a tough match against Megan Campbell (Inverness) and Jane Grant (Caithness). Michelle Smith and Donna Majilton (both Caithness) got through to the quarter-finals of the A group.
Mixed doubles A final winners were Shona and Mark Mackay (Caithness), giving them the double. The C final was won by Lauren Gunn and Euan Jappy (both Caithness).
Singles events were played on the Sunday. Callum Smith secured the singles title 21-18, 22-20, against Mark Mackay.
Mark McCoustra progressed to the the quarter-finals of the B group and was knocked out by Ramsay Hogg (Shetland) 11-21, 12-21.
In the ladies' singles A final, seeded Abbie Brooks took Shona Mackay in a very tough semi-final 21-19, 16-21, 21-17.
Kirsty Grant won the ladies' singles C final against Ashley Donald (Moray) 21-14, 22-20.
