Ortak Open - Season 2001-2002

Intro

Well...... It's true....... Size doesn't matter.
This tournament was fairly small in competitors, compared to other years - but the cups at the presentation were a fair size (anyone that was there would know what I mean).

The sixth Ortak Open attracted a number of players from Caithness, only - but everyone made the most of it and the Orkney contingent provided an excellent surrounding and competition, within the Pickaquoy Centre, Kirwall - for a good tournament.

My associate (Raz) and I, would like to thank the following hostelries, in Kirkwall, for their entertainment, free tickets and damn good natured behaviour, well nearly.....
Royal Hotel, Tervog (spelling) for entertainment on the Friday night, Georgian, St Ola - front bar (good barmaids and thanks for the tickets) and the St Ola back bar, 'e Bothy, Motorhouse, Pickaquoy Centre - Bar and the Matchmakers, for a brilliant feed and good barmaids. I might have missed a couple out because of the circumstances and, if I have - cheers......

We also had a late starter on our trip, in the name of Paaaaaauline. She was desperate to visit the beautiful island of Orkney, and see how the Caithness bunch were getting on, that she only left at 4.00pm on Saturday arrived at 7.30pm and left the followoing morning at 8.00am.
If Roy Castle was still alive, he would have visited, Paaaaaaauline and said, "dedication, dedication, dedication, that's what you need.......".
I think she had a good night out and enjoyed the time she had in Orkney, with the rest of the badminton players.....

Overall, there were only two people who dominated in the 2 day competition

Mark Mackay (Ratter, Sky Sports, etc) and Carole Mowat won the trebles, respectively.
Mark never looked in trouble of continuing his dominance in this tournament but Carole had a wee bit of trouble securing the Womens' Doubles title with Joyce Campbell against Moira and Elaine from Orkney.

Winners were:-

• Mens Singles - Mark Mackay - Caithness
  Mark beat Eoin 'Onion' Ballintine by 2 games to 0 in a close final
• Mens Singles plate - Sean Henstridge - Caithness
  Sean beat Richard Scott in the final. The two have had hard battles in their junior years and Sean has never won, but he upped the pressure for the big tournament and managed to secure the plate title.
• Womens Singles - Carole Mowat - Caithness
  Carole provided the extra strength, accuracy and fitness to beat Vicky Gorn.
• Womens Singles Plate - Joyce Campbell - Caithness
  Joyce proved just to strong for Elaine Gray in the final of the plate.

• Mens Doubles - Mark Mackay & John Durrand - Caithness
  Mark and John proved just to powerful for the long-time Orkney pairing in this contest.
• Mens Doubles Plate - Eoin Ballintine & Ross Groundwater - Orkney
  Onion and Ross were too strong for their Orkney counterparts, easily securing the plate.
• Womens Doubles - Carole Mowat & Joyce Campbell - Caithness
  The new Caithness pairing looked strong in the first set, but the Orkney stalwarts (Moira and Elaine) clawed back to take the second. The Caithness girlies secured the title in the third but will need a few more games under their belts to bond a strong badminton relationship (not fruitie).
• Womens Doubles - ?????? - Orkney
  It was an all Orkney final but I don't know who won.......
• Mixed Doubles - Mark Mackay & Carole Mowat - Caithness
  No trouble securing this game. Mark is too strong at the back and Carole can finish anything near the net which gave Onion and Vicky a tough task.
  The highlight of this final was Ratter nearly slicing the Onion, when his racket broke.
• Mixed Doubles Plate - Lynne Cursiter & Ronald Thompson
  This all Orkney final saw the new pairing of the Fox and Lisa Johnston just getting pipped in the final.

Photos

Caithness contingent

Marc win Singles	Carole singles winner	Marc & John - Mens Doubles Winners	Carole & Joyce - Womens Doubles Winners
Marc having a wee tickle & Carole - Mixed Doubles winners	Sean wins Mens Singles Plate	Marc Mackay getting put through his paces by Moira's young lad.
Carole finishing off a long rally in the Womens doubles final.		Ratters' racket breaks nearly slicing the onion.....
The best place to be after a long day of hard badminton.....		Sky Sports being interviewed by Radio Orkney.	They just had to have their picture taken....

End-of-Document