County Open - Season 2000-2001

There was a relatively poor turnout to the Caithness County Open - but the competitors who did manage to compete in the event enjoyed the days activities. Games throughout the event had to be stopped, on some occasions, due to the bad weather outside causing light failure.

This did not halt the event with James Henderson winning the treble and Carole Mowat, the double. See a full report below....

Ladies Singles

The county number one lady - didn't really have too much trouble disposing of her counterparts to lift the Ladies Singles trophy - but good performances were given by her opponents to provide some good rallies.

The first seem-final saw Jane Grant take on Amy Simpson in a tougher game than the score reflects but in the end the experience of Jane shone through to take the match 11-4, 11-4.

In the second seem, Jill was fresh from winning the Restricted Ladies Singles Championship, the week before, and fancied her chances but Carole was having none of this and after some good net strokes, won the match 11-3, 11-3.

The final saw Carole power to victory. Jane gave a good account of herself in the first game losing out 11-6 - but Carole had never run out of ideas and cruised to win the title in the second 11-1.

Mens Singles

Anyone who thought that the, 'Big Bird' was slowly starting to loose his stroke, need only have come and watched his performances in this competition and found out otherwise.
Although, Mark 'Sky-Sports' Mackay, was not present on the day, there were still a strong bunch of competitors involved in this event.

In the first semi-final, Birdie was up against the, 'Big Hitter' Benji Mackay. Although Bird managed to get through the first set relatively unscathed (15-6) - the second gave him a bit of a shock. Going 9-3 down in a matter of minutes, 'e Bird had to get his act together to stop a third set. This he did, ending up a 15-9 winner.

The second semi-final was like watching the film 'Karate Kid' - you know, 'Wax on - Wax off'. This was a teacher and pupil match between Sam Campbell (Mr Miagee) and John Durrand (Daniel, son).
In watching this game from a distance, it was always going to be a close game that involved text book rallies. John took the first set 15-9, only for Sam to pull back the second 15-4. The final set went right to the limit with John surviving a couple of match points, to take the final set 17-16.

The final was in James' hands, despite the gutsy performance by John to try and overturn him. With continuos returns of John's powerful smash and neat net shots, Birdie was always going to be the winner. The final score ended 15-11 and 15-6 but John should be delighted with his performance, for such a young lad, against seasoned County players.

Ladies Doubles

The double 'Ortak Champions' and 'County number one ladies pairing', went into this event with only one thing in their mind and that was winning - with no messing about.

The first semi-final, saw Alison Henderson and Pam Mackay play Hilary Geddes and Jane Grant. If you were to place a bet on this game, the majority would have gone for Alison and Pam but Hilary and Jane had other ideas. After a long game with some good rallies and 'loud squealing', it was the underdogs who managed to go through. Sorry, no scores available.

No upsets arose in the second semi-final. Casey and Carole brushed aside their opponents to assure a place in the final.

The final saw Casey and Carole dominating the court, leaving Jane and Hilary with a final score of 15-2, 15-6.

Mens Doubles

The mens doubles were split into two leagues of three pairings and consisting of one game to 21, with the top of the leagues playing a final.

James Henderson and Donald Mackay had no trouble winning their league and assuring a place in the final.

Sam Campbell and John Durrand would have expected to cruise into the final, by winning their league easily. Ian Nicolson and Benji Mackay had other ideas and gave them a shock in a game that could have gone either way - but the experience of Sam and John pulled them through to win 21-18.

The final started with two players struggling to walk. John Durrand started to suffer from cramp and Donald Mackay, who has just returned from a knee operation, was 'hurpling' around the court. Both continued to play and Donald, backed by Big Bird, never looked lost in amongst the 'A' Team players, returning and finishing off some vital points, in long rallies. Donald and James held their nerve to take the match 15-7, 15-12 but could easily have gone to a third set.

Mixed Doubles

Their was always going to be the obvious two pairings in the final of this competition.

The first semi-final saw James Henderson and Jane Grant take on David Swanson and Isobel Mackay. Daz and Isobel tried everything they could to try and get a few more points but James and Jane piled on the pressure and 'sank' them 15-2, 15-2.

The second semi was a closer affair, with the county pairing of Sam Campbell and Pam Mackay taking on John Durrand and Alison Henderson. John and Alison battled away but Sam and Pam won through in two games 15-8, 15-10.

James and Jane got off to a flying start in the final, winning the first game 15-3. Sam and Pam managed to pick-up their game in the second and came close to forcing a third set - but James and Jane won the title with a 15-12 result.

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