Invitation Tournament - Season 2005-2006 - 03&04/03/06

Mark Mackay & Michelle Cowie

Players from Edinburgh, Fife, Inverness, Moray, Ross-Shire and Shetland travelled to take part in the ninth Caithness Open Badminton competition, held in Thurso High School - sponsored by UKAEA Dounreay, Jacobs Babtie UK, W&A Geddes Ltd and J Sangster, Halkirk.

Our local and 'Sky Sports' personality badminton player, Mark Mackay took two titles, the men's singles and mixed doubles with partner Michelle Cowie.

The men's singles title was grasped by beating in-form Wick lad, John Durrand but not without a fight, some long rallies and excellent play.

The mixed doubles competition was one the tightest since the tournament started with nobody knowing who was going to be victorious, even at the quarter final stages. But, Mark and new young partner, Michelle Cowie - who is growing in confidence with every event, managed to hold their nerve to beat consistent tournament entrant, Carolyn Young (Edinburgh) and first timer, Neil Anderson (Forres).

The men's doubles trophy went to Shetland duo, Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson. The pair showed they were a powerful combination and with a large number of events under their belt together, were always going to be favourites going into this tie against Mark Mackay and Davie Nicolson, who rarely play with each other!!!

Yvonne Khan, Dalgety Bay proved to be the 'Cilla Black' of the occasion and was the 'surprise-surprise' entrant of the tournament, showing she has played at a higher standard and knows her way around the court.

Her first head was past ladies' singles champion, Zoe Anderson but Carolyn Young (Edinburgh) used her extra experience to just nip, Yvonne in the final.

She then went on, with partner and ex-Orkney competitor, Vicki Gorn, to romp through the ladies' doubles field to just lose out to Zoe Anderson and Suzanne Henderson in a closely contested final.

Congratulations to everyone who took part and hopefully the new faces have now managed to 'get the bug' and will return up the A9, next season.

Keith Donald

Thanks to Pauline for the party, and she managed to surprise us all by hiring some gymnasts for the evening to perform some tricks on entering the venue - which included forward and backward roles. One of the performers, unfortunately, broke a small table - but it was decided the table was made of 'balsa wood' and had nothing to do with weight.....

One of the saddest but surprising moments of the weekend arose during the presentations, when vice-chairman, Jane Grant read out an apologies card from long time entrant into the CBA invitation tournament, Keith Donald (Edinburgh) announcing he was unable to attend due to 'some kiddies' 40th birthday party. I would have to say, 'sort yer heed oot boy, screw 'e nut' you know the priority when it comes to a trip north and 'some kiddie' always comes second......

From what I've heard he was distraught seeing the girls leaving on the train and hopefully we will all get his blast, next season.

Winners

Key:- C = Caithness, Ed = Edinburgh, Db = Dalgety Bay, S = Shetland, I = Inverness, F = Forres

• Ladies Singles - Carolyn Young (Ed) beat Yvonne Khan (Db)
  • Plate - Kirsty Grant (C) beat Michelle Cowie (C)
• Mens Singles - Mark Mackay (C) beat John Durrand (C)
  • Plate - Ian Nicolson (C) beat Stephen Hill (C)
• Ladies Doubles - Zoe Anderson & Suzanne Henderson (S) beat Yvonne Khan & Vicki Gorn (Db)
  • Plate - Casey Sangster & Carole Mowat (C) beat Catherine Johnston & Tammi Shields (S)
• Mens Doubles - Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson (S) beat Mark Mackay & David Nicolson (C)
  • Plate - David Friend & John McCulloch (I) beat Benji Mackay & Ian Nicolson (C)
• Mixed Doubles - Mark Mackay & Michelle Cowie (C) beat Neil Anderson (F) & Carolyn Young (Ed)
  • Plate - John McCulloch (I) & L Robertson (Ed) beat David Nicolson & Pam Bain (C)

Photos

Ladies Singles' final - Yvonne Khan v Carolyn Young (winner)

Ladies Singles' final - Yvonne Khan v Carolyn Young (winner)

Ladies Singles' final - Yvonne was moving so fast the camera wasn't fast enough to catch her.....

Men's Doubles Final - Mark Mackay (winner) v John Durrand

Men's Doubles Final - Mark Mackay (winner) v John Durrand

Men's Doubles Semi-Final - John Durrand v Neil Anderson

Men's Doubles Semi-Final - Graeme Spreng v Mark Mackay

Ladies' Doubles Final - Zoe Anderson & Suzanne Henderson (winners) v Vicki Gorn & Yvonne Khan

Ladies' Doubles Final - Zoe Anderson & Suzanne Henderson (winners) v Vicki Gorn & Yvonne Khan

Men's Doubles Final - Mark Mackay & Davie Nicolson v Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson (winners)

Men's Doubles Final - Mark Mackay & Davie Nicolson v Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson (winners)

Men's Doubles Final - Mark Mackay & Davie Nicolson v Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson (winners)

Men's Doubles Plate Final - David Friend & John McCulloch (winners) v Ian Nicolson & Benji Mackay

Men's Doubles Semi-Final matches Background - Sam Campbell & John Durrand v Colin Grant & Jason Jamieson Foreground - Gordon & Graeme Keith v Davie Nicolson & Mark Mackay

Mixed Doubles Final - Carolyn Young & Neil Anderson v Mark Mackay & Michelle Cowie (winners)

Mixed Doubles Final - Carolyn Young & Neil Anderson v Mark Mackay & Michelle Cowie (winners)

Mixed Doubles Plate Final - Pam Bain & Davie Nicolson v L Robertson & John McCulloch (winners)

Mixed Doubles Plate Final - Pam Bain & Davie Nicolson v L Robertson & John McCulloch (winners)

UKAEA Mixed Doubles Finalists - Neil Anderson & Carolyn Young and Mark Mackay & Michelle Cowie (winners)

End-of-Document

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