Invitation Tournament - Season 2007-2008 - 07&08/03/08

Twins, Graham & Gordon had one of their best tournaments

Once again, badminton players from near and far were tempted to travel the distance to take part in this event and experience everything the Caithness way.

Local companies, Aurora, Jacobs Babtie, UKAEA Dounreay, Precision Blinds, Jim Sangster and more continued to support this event - which was more than appreciated by the CBA committee.

There were more similarities to the Mens' singles event and Paul McCartney and Heather Mills' divorce settlement trial, than I would care to mention...!!!

Resident womaniser, Mark Mackay matched the bill of the Liverpudlian greats new nemesis, Heather - as he wandered around the Thurso High School Gym Hall courts with one leg fully clad in a tight fitting white cloth substance (following his snapped achilles injury), which gave the impression of a striking resemblance to the removable limb sported by the newly formed villainess, stealing and squandering points from his opponents and making them sweat profusely.

In all honesty, winning this title was as much a surprise to Ratter himself, as to the on-looking crowd.  He commented later that he was unsure why his opponents had not tried to make him run from side-to-side and back-to-front but they all replied, in a dejected mood - "We Tried....!!!".

There will be no crops growing 'sooth o' 'e Ord' this year, as 'Wer Carly' knocked all the seeds from their furrows to secure the Ladies' singles title.

Dispatching of long term Ladies' Singles Invitation winner and 'Jam-Tart', Carolyn Young in the semi-finals was good enough but, she continued to play her neat, tight singles game against current holder, Fiona Maxtone.  After a series of battering rallies, the youngster became frustrated with the outcome of losing points and Carole went onto pick up the prized title by two games to love.

Graham and Gordon Keith, Shetland had recently played against their Mens' Doubles opponents, John Durrand and Sam Campbell in the Shetland Inter-County and were fully aware of what they had to do to rock the Caithness duo.

In this match, the Shetlanders always had the upper hand - controlling the style of the game and went onto win in two sets.

Edinburgh pairing, Lyndsay and Kim suffered a defeat in the Ladies' Doubles final at the Intersport Open, Orkney to Caithness pairing, Carole & Casey and were in no mood to repeat this result.  After a tough three set match and the Caithness County number 1's trying to repeat their phrase of 'Never Mind the Bollocks...!!!' (click here for the reason why they say this...) - it was the 'Auld Reekie' pairing who succumbed to the pressure, by a couple of points, and went onto the final.

Shetland pairing, Zoe and Morag were the next to try and stop, Lyndsay and Kim but after two sets the Edinburgh pairing would be the ones travelling home with the silverware.

The Mixed Doubles final was an ALL Shetland affair, which probably felt more like a training/practice session.  Eventually, it was the Island's number one pairing Graham Keith and Zoe Anderson that went onto beat Gordon Keith and Morag Fox in two sets.

Congratulations to everyone who took part, thank you to the Royal Hotel for the food and party, Pauline for the house afterwards, we hope you enjoyed the adventure and hope to see you all next season.

Results:-

• Ladies Singles - Carole Mowat beat Fiona Maxtone
  • Plate - Donna Majilton beat Michelle Cowie
• Mens Singles - Mark Mackay beat John Durrand
  • Plate - John McCulloch beat Sam Campbell
• Ladies Doubles - Lyndsay Robertson & Kim Atkinson beat Zoe Anderson & Morag Fox
  • Plate - Debbie Stewart & Sarah Taylor beat Cathleen Johnson & Sarah Sutherland
• Mens Doubles - Gordon & Graham Keith beat John Durrand & Sam Campbell
  • Plate - Benji Mackay & Ian Nicolson beat Martyn Cook & Thomas Sutherland
• Mixed Doubles - Graham Keith & Zoe Anderson beat Gordon Keith & Morag Fox
  • Plate - Dan Horrigan & Bronwyn Ross beat Ian Cameron & Susan Craigie

Photos

Mens' Singles Final

Mens' Singles Plate Final

Mens' Doubles final

Mens' Doubles final

Ladies' Doubles final

End-of-Document

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