PICTURES: Doubles for Rory and Ashlyn as under-13s battle it out in county championships

By Contributor

Published: 13:20, 15 November 2022

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Trophy-winners and other competitors at the under-13 championships held in Wick. Picture: Kerry Mackenzie

The second of Caithness Badminton Association's junior championships went ahead on Sunday in the Wick community campus, with 33 youngsters – 15 girls and 18 boys – battling it out for under-13 honours.

Rory Nicolson and Ashlyn Gunn each celebrated a double.

Kerry Mackenzie of Caithness Badminton Association juniors said: "A huge well done to all the kids who took part in the championships. There were some fantastic games and rallies, with all competitors showing good sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

"Huge thanks must go to all the helpers on the day."

The girls played an elimination in the singles, so if they lost their first match they would go into the consolation.

Main draw semi-finals: Ashlyn Gunn (Wick) beat Freya Mackay (Wick) 21-5; Kate Durrand (Wick) beat Myah Macleod (Dunnet) 21-13. Final: Ashlyn beat Kate 21-17.

Consolation final: Rhea Bruce (Wick) beat Lexi Budge (Wick) 15-11.

The boys also played an elimination in their singles.

Main draw semi-finals: Matthew Cook (Ormlie) beat Owen Malcolm (Wick) 21-4; Dhaill Mackay (Dunnet) beat Rory Nicolson (Wick) 21-16. Final: Dhaill beat Matthew 21-19.

Consolation final: Liam Gunn (Wick) beat Kenzie Cleland (Wick) 15-4.

Winners Ashlyn Gunn and Rory Nicolson with Shona Mackay, a junior coach for Caithness Badminton Association. Picture: Kerry Mackenzie

The doubles followed the same format as the singles.

Main draw girls’ semi-finals: Rhea Bruce and Freya Mackay (both Wick) beat Katie Howden and Erna Thain (both Wick) 21-16; Kate Durrand and Ashlyn Gunn (Wick) beat Sophie Mackay and Myah Macleod (both Dunnet) 21-19.

Final: Rhea and Freya beat Ashlyn and Kate 21-19.

Consolation final: Lexi Budge and Amy Duncan (both Wick) beat Moria Darby (Dunnet) and Miriam Williamson (Ormlie) 15-14.

Main draw boys’ semi-finals: Matthew Cook (Ormlie) and Cameron Macleod (Wick) beat Kenzie Cleland and Cameron Macleod (both Wick) 21-15; Angus Mackay and Rory Nicolson (Wick) beat Liam Gunn and Nebi Senguler (both Wick) 21-19.

Final: Rory and Angus beat Matthew and Cameron 21-8.

Consolation final: Owen Malcolm and Alex Richards (Wick) beat Callum Aitken and Liam Muir (Wick) 15-10.

Mixed doubles semi-finals: Rory Nicolson and Ashlyn Gunn (Wick) beat Finlay McDonald and Sophie Mackay (Dunnet) 21-9; Matthew Cook (Ormlie) and Kate Durrand (Wick) beat Liam Gunn and Freya Mackay (both Wick) 21-18.

Final: Rory and Ashlyn beat Matthew and Kate 21-12.

Consolation final: Angus Mackay and Erna Thain (both Wick) beat Kenzie Cleland and Rhea Bruce (both Wick) 15-6.

This Sunday sees the under-15 championships.